Group 20
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FINDING a pair of centres to add potency to the Bidgee backline will be the priority for Hurricanes coach Simon Watson over summer after agreeing to lead the club in 2015.
Watson coached the team for the first time last season and is keen for another crack after missing finals.
One area he has identified as needing attention is the Hurricanes' lack of strike power out wide.
He said there was no substitute for specialist centres.
"Overall we were happy with the squad we had, but I was playing forwards in the centres because we never had real flankers," Watson said.
"Realistically, we're looking at getting a couple of centres to allow us to get a bit more depth."
The Hurricanes finished eighth last season, two wins out of play-off contention.
It was a frustrating campaign for Watson, who saw his side lose six games by a converted try or less.
But with many of his side playing together for the first time last season, Watson believes the Hurricanes can improve next year.
"Last year we brought a few new blokes together," Watson said.
"If we can keep them together and that's no sure thing we're hoping they'll gel that little bit more next season.
"That way we might be able to turn around some of those close games that we lost."
But as well as cohesion, Watson said he needed greater training commitment from his players.
"We need everyone to get to training to help us prepare," he said.
"Even on a Friday I wasn't getting a full squad.
"You can't do all the work you want to do with the ball if you're not getting everyone there. It's just not possible.
"We were just doing the basic patterns.
"I'd like to implement a few more patterns, but for that we need everyone there."