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Finals might be out of the equation for the Hurricanes and Highlanders but that doesn’t mean there won’t be feeling in this one. Warm up for the Wallabies vs Lions with live scores from the Super Rugby at 5.35pm AEST.
The Hurricanes saw their post-season chances officially ended last Friday night when they went down 34-22 to the Chiefs in Waikato.
Against the competition leaders the ‘Canes were impressive in the first half and led by only two points at the break, but couldn’t sustain their effort and were outscored 17-7 in the second half.
The home side have made two changes to last weekend’s starting XV, with Faifili Levave returning at blindside and Alapati Leiu coming in on the wing.
The Highlanders had gone into the international break on a high after a ten-point win over the Blues in Round 16, but it didn’t take long for them to return to the form that they’ve displayed all too often this season.
At Forsyth Barr Stadium last Saturday the Highlanders were blown out 40-12 by the Crusaders, keeping them rooted to the bottom of the Super Rugby ladder, two points behind the Kings.
Coach Jamie Joseph has made three changes to the starting side, with Liam Coltman replacing Andrew Hore at hooker, Aaron Smith comes in for Fumiaki Tanaka at scrum-half and TJ Ioane coming in at number six.
The Highlanders will also be without suspended pair Jarrad Hoeata and Ma’a Nonu.
The Hurricanes claimed a four-point win when the two sides met in Round 5 this season, but the Highlanders did record a 19-17 the last time they clashed at Westpac Stadium, back in 2012.
The prospect of avoiding finising last should be enough to motivate the Highlanders tonight but there’s a reason they are where they are, and it would take a vastly improved effort to get over the the Hurricanes here.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.