Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer

Cape Town – Hurricanes fullback Cory Jane says his face “looks like a bus hit it” after his collision with juggernaut Stormers wing Sireli Naqelevuki … and now his embattled teammates face a possible trampling from a different beast, the Bulls.

The Stormers trounced the Wellington outfit by an unexpectedly large margin of 37-13 in a Vodacom Super 14 match at Newlands on Saturday, and the All Blacks star was carried off on the buggy in the first half after being knocked out cold in a collision with the rejuvenated Fijian.

It was a painful double blow for Jane, because he fell to the turf awkwardly, much of his body weight behind him as he hit the grass nose first.

The known “Twitter generation” utility back – he plays mostly fullback for his franchise and right wing for New Zealand – was quick to assure his supporters via that medium that he was on the mend, even though he is ruled out of the Loftus meeting with the unbeaten Bulls on Friday night.

Jane, an engaging character who was interviewed at length on Sport24 last week, put out various tweets after the mishap, including such statements as: “I got knocked the f**k out. Lol. That’s what happens when 120kgs hits 88kgs” and “My face looks like a bus hit it.”

He also said: “I’m feeling good today (Sunday). Was in all sorts last night” and “Take a bit more than a bus 2 stop me tweeting.”

But now the Hurricanes head into the Pretoria showdown minus their first-choice No 15 and also awaiting the outcome of a citing hearing on Monday, over an alleged dangerous tackle, against key inside centre Ma’a Nonu.

They are not being given much of a sniff for the Loftus game by the New Zealand media.

Columnist Wynne Gray wrote in The New Zealand Herald: “When the Hurricanes departed for the South African segment of their itinerary they had ridden out some tough times and were unbeaten.

“Cohesion in the pack had improved under new skipper Andrew Hore while there also seemed a greater maturity about the backline play.

“Now they are listing mid-table, smacked over by the Cheetahs, then the Stormers at the weekend … and heading for what looms as a final tour duffing by the Bulls.”

Toby Robson wrote in the Wellington-based Dominion Post: “Clueless on attack and still flummoxed at the breakdown, the Hurricanes’ South African tour is unravelling after they were swept aside by the Stormers with alarming ease.

“On the evidence of their latest performance, the now eight-placed Hurricanes will be no chance in Pretoria, their game-plan and execution in desperate need of an overhaul.”

Still, the Bulls would do well to recall their last meeting with these opponents at Loftus – a 50-22 humbling at the hands of the unpredictable New Zealanders in 2008.


Cory Jane: Bloodied and dazed (Gallo Images)