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Match Result
It was a thoroughly entertaining affair and the Canes get the bonus point out of the win but at times it looked like they were going to win by so much more, the backs from each side were superb and Savea again managed to get involved and he bagged himself two tries.
The kicking was a little suspect from both sides with West and Barrett missing crucial kicks at the wrong time. The moment that will haunt the Blues will be the try scored by Proctor three minutes after the half time siren blew, they couldn’t get it out and the Hurricanes made them pay.
The Blues however looked better than they have previously shown all year, meanwhile the Hurricanes continue to produce some outstanding running rugby.
Hurricanes 30 defeat The Blues 23
Match Preview
The Hurricanes will look to continue their perfect start to the season when they host the struggling Blues at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North. Join The Roar for live updates from 5:30pm (AEDT).
It couldn’t get any better for the Hurricanes who won three in a row overseas prior to the break. If one was to find holes in that form it would be that just one of those sides is above 11th on the ladder.
Credit is due though, the match against the Bulls was a great win by the Hurricanes, and the win against the Western Force was an exhibition in running rugby, showing this team has great attacking flare.
However the Blues have won three of their last four games against the Hurricanes.
If this game was being played in Wellington you would say the Hurricanes would win this easily with the Blues registering just two wins since 2002 at the cake tin.
History is also against the Hurricanes, with the franchise never winning four opening fixtures in a row. They came close winning three in a row in 1998, 2005, 2006, and 2010. But something tells me that this Hurricanes side is poised for bigger and better things in 2015.
Defence has been the key for the Hurricanes, with the Wellington side completing an astonishing 91 per cent of their tackles this season. Discipline will also be a key factor for the side, with Ihaia West deadly with the boot this season and the Blues having the best goal kicking accuracy at 89 per cent.
It’ll be a case of beware the wounded. With the Blues’ loss to the Lions last week they are now having the worst start to a season in their franchise’s history. A loss tonight would equal the team’s worst ever losing streak of seven straight.
Watch out for Palmerston North-born Nehe Milner-Skudder who will get his first Super Rugby start, with Chris Boyd continuing to play musical fullbacks after resisting the temptation to rest Julian Savea or Beauden Barrett.
In a show of backline depth, Jason Woodward – who was superb in South Africa – can’t even make the 23-man squad.
In good news for the Hurricanes TJ Perenara and Conrad Smith are both back in the starting line up.
Prediction
It all seems so easy to tip the Hurricanes in a big win here, but when a side has their backs to the wall they always seem to make a game of it. For that reason alone I’m tipping the Blues in a close one.
Blues by 3.
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.