Hopeful Hurricanes look to spark big Super Rugby Pacific finish against Fijian Drua

Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes v Fijian Drua. Where: Sky Stadium, Wellington. When: Sunday, May 8, 3.35pm. Live coverage: Sky Sport 1, live updates on Stuff.

Will the real Hurricanes please stand up. Now would be as good a time as any for the men from the capital to assume something resembling their normal Super Rugby identity.

It has been a far from vintage campaign for the seventh-placed 5-5 Hurricanes (24 points) in a rollercoaster inaugural season of the revamped Pacific competition, despite the promise of a signature victory in round 2 when they mowed down the Blues with a miracle in Dunedin.

Since then the form has wavered somewhat. There has been a three-game losing skid, and more recently a three-match winning streak, before last weekend’s deflating 42-25 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra.

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But a strong finish could yet see the Canes climb the ladder ahead of the quarterfinals, and that starts with Sunday’s clash against the 1-9 Fijian Drua at Sky Stadium. It’s a match the men from the capital should win in a canter, but equally one they could drop if their heads are not in the right place.

Of course we all remember the Hurricanes slumping to that historic March 25 extra-time 24-19 defeat to Moana Pasifika at Mount Smart Stadium in a boilover that has no doubt been mentioned this week.

Coach Jason Holland made it clear he expects his players to know exactly what is, and isn’t, required follow