The Hurricanes centre Tim Bateman has insisted that the club can build on their impressive Super Rugby season when the new campaign gets underway.
The Hurricanes won six of their final seven games in the 2012 season, but missed out on the playoffs by two points. However, the 25-year-old is confident that they can "kick on" in the new season.
"I think the expectations last season were low after so many players left but this is a chance for us to kick on. Against the New Zealand teams, although we beat the Blues twice, we lost our first games against the Highlanders, Crusaders and Chiefs," he told Sky Sports News.
"However we went on to win the second games against them. That was pleasing as it shows we are improving as a young side. Hopefully we can now go on and build on this.
"The margins between a loss and a win are minimal so it is important that we keep improving. All our goals are performance-based. If you can get the performance right the results will then look after themselves."
The Hurricanes finished last season as the tournament's top try-scorers.
