Photo: RNZ
Hurricanes v Highlanders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 16 May
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
The Hurricanes are on the up, coming off their bye week and two good wins before that. Clark Laidlaw's side is currently sixth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder and in the play-off hunt, so will be confident of getting the full five points out of this one. The Highlanders also had last weekend off but things have been steadily getting more desperate for them, they're currently in 10th spot and the main motivation now will simply be to not finish last.
Timoci Tavatavanawai during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Team lists
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Ngatungane Punivai, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Will Tucker, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Fatafehi Fineanganofo
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Michael Loft, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Cameron Millar, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Hurricanes selections
Brett Cameron of the Hurricanes during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Crusaders Vs Hurricanes, at the Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand, 15 March, 2024. Photo: John Davidson / Photosport
More good news on the injury front now that the Canes not only have a fully fit midfield, but now some depth at first five. Brett Cameron is back ahead of schedule and comes onto the bench, which means now Laidlaw should be free to move Ruben Love back to fullback in the coming weeks. Zach Gallagher is also back at lock, while Bailyn Sullivan moves to the wing to replace Kini Naholo.
Highlanders selections
Jona Nareki during the Brumbies v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, GIO Stadium, Canberra. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber/ActionPress
Taine Robinson moves back into first five for the Highlanders, while Jona Nareki and Tanielu Tele'a come back from injury to bolster the backline. A reshuffle in the loose forwards sees Sean Withy move to number eight to replace Hugh Renton, Veveni Lasaqa starts at openside.
Key stats
Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes scores try during Super Rugby Pacific match - Hurricanes v Waratahs at Sky Stadium, Wellington. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / Photosport
The Hurricanes have won their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Highlanders, which is their longest win streak against them in Super Rugby history.
The Highlanders have won only one of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches away from Forsyth Barr Stadium - a 31-29 victory against Moana Pasifika. They've lost each of their three games away from the venue since then, conceding 36.3 points per game.
Despite only being back for two games, Billy Proctor has beaten 7.3 defenders per 80 minutes. That's the best average of any player in the competition.
What they're saying
''The Hurricanes are a quality side with lots of All Blacks. When we played them earlier, they were a team in a really tough position, and they've been able to battle their way out and into finals footy, which highlights the quality of their roster.'' - Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
"Pretty big news for us is that Brett Cameron is back on the bench. His ability to rehab and recover faster than any of us thought. The work he and our medical crew have done has been unreal, and they deserve a special mention. He's good to go." - Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.
The last time they met
Hurricanes 20 - 18 Highlanders
If the Canes do go on and make something happen this season, this game will be seen as their turning point. A massive defensive effort in the second half saw them defend a slender lead, including a couple of clutch penalties on their own line. Ruben Love scored the winning try but really the team's mindset went from losers to winners due to the sheer bravery of the tackling.
What's going to happen
Since that last meeting, the Canes have gotten much better and the Highlanders a lot worse. This should be a comfortable win for the home team as their late season form leading them toward a play-off berth, however if the Highlanders can keep the score close at the break, it may end up being a bit closer than expected.
