Why the Hurricanes' hopes of success in Super Rugby Aotearoa rest on the shoulders of two men

When the Hurricanes roll out against the Blues at Eden Park on Sunday, expect plenty of fireworks from both sides.

Not just because both sides are loaded with talent across the board, but because it's set to be former Hurricanes playmaker Beauden Barrett's debut game for the Blues.

Up until the surprise arrival of Dan Carter at the Auckland franchise, it's been a storyline that has dominated headlines leading into Super Rugby Aotearoa, and the Hurricanes have a challenge on their hands if they're to overcome the presence of Barrett on the 'wrong' side of the park.

For all the ability they have throughout their squad, trying to replace the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year has presented a significant challenge in itself.

Through current first-fives Fletcher Smith, Jackson Garden-Bachop and James Marshall, they have three solid options with varying degrees of experience, but none wield the exceptional capabilities that Barrett can muster.

His absence was compounded even before the season kicked-off when head coach John Plumtree was picked up by Ian Foster to join his coaching staff at the All Blacks, forcing the sudden promotion of assistant coach Jason Holland.

Add to that star All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea's lengthy injury lay-off and it's easy to understand why the Hurricanes had such a rough time of things in the opening weekend of the competition.

An error-ridden 27-0 thumping at the hands of the Stormers in Cape Town was a result few saw coming, marking a disastrous start to Holland's tenure as new Hurricanes boss.

To their credit, though, a string of compelling performances against the Jaguares, Sharks and Sunwolves made for an impressive recovery effort in the ensuing rounds.

That was before a Tyrel Lomax red card led to a 24-15 home defeat to the Blues, but a last-gasp 27-24 win over the Chiefs the following week proved the Hurricanes still had plenty of fight in them.

Holland's men haven't played since that three-point victory in Hamilton nearly three months ago, but he'll again be looking to one man who proved himself as the key figure in three of his side's wins before the coronavirus-enforced suspension.

Without his older brother pulling the strings in the backline, Jordie Barrett has been forced to take on a bigger leadership role within the franchise set-up, acting as one of only three All Blacks in the Hurricanes' backline.

Beauden's departure to Auckland has seen the younger Barrett assume goal kicking duties, a responsibility which he's flourished with.