DSPN - Devlin Sports Podcast Network
The Hurricanes Are In Control... Or are they? | Marty's Sermon
04 May 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What controversial moment occurred in the Crusaders vs. Hurricanes match?
The pass was forward, mate. We all saw it. Everyone at home saw it. The dog probably saw it. And yet somehow the ref and the TMO land on no clear and obvious evidence to overturn the try. Can we talk about the Brumbies? Because this one's even stranger. They started 3-0. They were top of the table. They went to Christchurch. They put 50 points on the Crusaders. in Christchurch.
Now, that's not normal. That's statement stuff. Every Kiwi team is about to take points off each other. No one is getting through this clean, which opens the door, you'd think, slightly for the Aussie sides. But then again, can they actually take advantage?
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John Walker wins the 1500 metres gold medal at the Olympic Games. The Devlin Sports Podcast Network. DSPN, welcome to it. Top six in Super Rugby, so six takes from round 12 on the way. Before we do that, a couple of little bits of business to take care of. Click that subscribe button for us, DSPN YouTube channel. That always helps.
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Here they come, six takes and no particular order. Take number one, the Hurricanes are in control. Or are they? Let's start nice and easy. The Canes are in the box seat. Top spot seems theirs to lose. It's as simple as that. Well, on paper anyway, they're already two points clear. They've still got a game in hand. Dream scenario, you would think. But there's a catch or two.
No bye coming, no break, no breather. It's seven straight games from here on in if they go all the way. That's including the finals games, of course. And that is a grind. They're probably going to need to win all four of those remaining round-robin games to lock in that number one seed and home advantage.
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Chapter 2: How are the Hurricanes positioned in the Super Rugby standings?
And then the rugby starts. And, well, it's just underwhelming, isn't it? Again, this is meant to be the biggest, richest rugby market in Australia. There's no shortage of resource, talent, or noise. But results?
Meh.
They're always just a bit... Last four years, they played 34 games, 18 wins. That's barely scraping over 50%. And this year, started 2-0. They've now dropped six of the last eight. It's not a talent issue. It's a potential issue. It's certainly a consistency issue. It's delivery, isn't it? It's actually turning up when it counts because right now they look great on Instagram.
And they look very average on the scoreboard. Take number four. Since we're in Australia, what about the Brumbies? Can we talk about the Brumbies? Because this one's even stranger. They started 3-0. They were top of the table. They went to Christchurch. They put 50 points on the Crusaders in Christchurch. Now, that's not normal. That's statement stuff.
Since then, though, they've also lost six of the last eight. Lost to the Reds twice, to the Druid twice, to the Waratahs. These games you'd think, well, you'd back them to win most days of the week. So who are the Brumbies exactly, a side that's beaten four New Zealand sides? Are they that early season powerhouse? Or this version of themselves now that just can't get it done?
The Reds are the only Aussie side above 500. Their record is 6-4. Across all four teams, the Aussies have 19 wins, 22 losses. Now compare that to New Zealand, 33 wins, 20 losses. The gap is real. And right now, well, it's just growing. Take number five, the draw from hell. Now is where it gets really interesting. Who's got the toughest run home, do you think?
The Crusaders, the Chiefs, or the Blues? Well, take your pick, because none of them are exactly cruising. Chiefs have got four games left. Reds away this weekend, then Highlanders, Crusaders, and Blues. The Blues, they've got the Crusaders, the Hurricanes, and the Chiefs. The Crusaders, they've got the Blues, the Chiefs, and the Hurricanes. It's basically a round-robin of pain.
Every Kiwi team is about to take points off each other. No one is getting through this clean. which opens the door, you'd think, slightly for the Aussie sides. But then again, can they actually take advantage? Only four teams in the whole comp have winning records. Canes, Blues, Chiefs, Reds. Four out of 11.
So the real story of Super Rugby at the moment, most teams this year are losing more than they're winning. Not exactly a competition full of dominant forces. Final take, take number six. Carl Budge makes some noise. Finally, a little bit of off-field theatre. I love this narrative. Carl Budge, the Blues CEO, barging Auckland into the Super Round conversation. Who saw that one coming?
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