Roar Guru
Last Saturday’s demolition of the Chiefs brought the Hurricanes back into the top six race. Can they carry that momentum into tonight’s clash with the Blues? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
The Hurricanes produced arguably the best performance by any side in the competition last week, embarrassing the defending champions by 45-8.
But a lack of consistency has been an issue this season, and so are injures heading into this contest.
The Hurricanes have lost live-wire fullback Andre Taylor with a ankle sprain, so Matt Proctor comes in for him.
Prop Ben Franks (groin) is also being monitored, while back-up hookers Ash Dixon and Motu Matu’u are under injury clouds as well.
That means Reggie Goodes could either replace Franks or act as back-up hooker to Dane Coles, with Mike Kainga and Brendon Edmonds coming onto the bench if required.
The Blues are seemingly out of playoff contention, but are always difficult to beat at Eden Park.
The Blues have beaten both the Waratahs and Crusaders at home this year, and thrashed the Hurricanes 28-6 at the same venue last year.
The Blues have made three changes from last week’s side. First-five Ihaia West will make his first Super Rugby start.
West is a product of the Napier Boys’ High School, Hawke’s Bay and the New Zealand under-20s. He was brought into the Blues squad last month following the season-ending injury to Baden Kerr.
George Moala is named on the left wing ahead of Tevita Li, who has been stood down for a breach of internal team protocols, while veteran halfback Piri Weepu has overcome a groin strain to be named on the bench.
The Blues hold a 7-4 advantage over the Hurricanes at home, but the visitors have won four of the past seven matches.
Jason O’Halloran scored three tries in the 1998 fixture, making him only the second player to score a hat-trick against the Blues.
The Blues recorded the biggest winning margin by any team over a New Zealand side with their 60-7 win in 2002, while Doug Howlett equalled the competition record with four tries.
Howlett scored 10 tries against the Hurricanes, a record against a single opponent.
Tana Umaga played his 100th Super 12 match at Eden Park in 2005 and celebrated in style, as the Hurricanes recorded their first win over the Blues in the competition’s 10 years.
Beauden Barrett plays in 50th match for the Hurricanes. He has scored 573 points.
Hurricanes by 7