[VIDEO] Hurricanes vs Highlanders: Super Rugby live scores, blog, highlights

Roar Guru

16th May, 2014

3807 Reads

Teams

Hurricanes
Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Alapati Leiua.

Highlanders
Ben Smith (co-capt), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-capt), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Matias Diaz, Aki Seuili, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, Phil Burleigh.

Kickoff: 5:35pm AEST
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Last Meeting: Highlanders 35-31 Hurricanes; March 21, 2014
History: Hurricanes 12, Highlanders 10
TV: Fox Sports, Live
Betting: Hurricanes $1.30, Highlanders $3.55

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The Hurricanes take on the Highlanders looking to maintain their perfect start to the season. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Brent Ford

Roar Guru

16th May, 2014

250

3807 Reads

Little seperates the Hurricanes and Highlanders on the Super Rugby table, and with every point crucial in a tight finals race both sides will want the win tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm AEST.

Both sides are equal on 30 points on the Super Rugby table, so a win or a loss in this game could play a major factor in their finals aspirations.

Last week the Hurricanes completed a scrappy victory over the resilient Rebels in Melbourne, while the Highlanders survived a scare against the Lions to just get over the line by a solid point.

This week Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has introduced two changes to his starting line-up, with hooker Motu Matu’u coming in for an injured Dane Coles.

Tim Bateman also returns to the starting line-up for Alapati Leiua, who will come off the reserves bench.

The visitors face a test to the depth of their squad, with close to a dozen players not available for this fixture.

With three players suspended and another eight injured, it looks like it could be an issue for the Highlanders.

Lima Sopoaga is still touch and go to play, and Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph admitted the injuries weren’t exactly ideal as the season reaches its peak.

In their fixture earlier this year it was an unknown entity in Malakai Fekitoa who got the better of Conrad Smith.

Now one of the biggest rising stars of the game, Fekitoa will be keen to prove that performance was not a one off.

I expect a tight tussle in this one. The last match between these two sides was a cracker and I expect much the same this time around.

With this leg being played in Wellington, I’m going to back the home side in for the win.

Hurricanes by 3

250

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