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Match Result. Well, what a game that turned out to be. Just when it looked like the Hurricanes were going to be home and hosed Julian Savea got yellow carded and a late try from Sopoaga made the game a tight finish.
For their effort the Highlanders will get the losing bonus point and the Hurricanes will remain undefeated.
Again it wasn’t pretty from both sides with errors early killing the flow of the first half, Reggie Goodes scored the first try in the 49th minute of the game, and Perenara looked to have put the game beyond doubt in the 73rd minute. A late pass which looked to have levelled the scores for the Highlanders was called forward letting the Hurricanes off the hook.
Both kickers were plagued with their kicking, and it was the super stars who stood up with Ben Smith in attack and Ma’a Nonu in defence absolutely sublime tonight. The only injury concern is Ardie Savea who has gone to hospital to get scans on a nasty finger injury.
In the end it’s the Hurricanes 20 defeating the Highlanders 13.
Match Preview
The top-of-the-table Hurricanes will look to extend their undefeated run when they visit the in-form Highlanders. Join us for live commentary from 5:20pm (AEDT).
Last week against the Blues it looked like the Hurricanes were almost certain to go down at halftime, before they went 80 metres to score three minutes after the halftime siren.
This week they meet a side that can probably match them in the running rugby stakes. The Highlanders were brilliant last week defeating the reigning Super Rugby Champions the Waratahs.
Patrick Osbourne, Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo are all capable of cutting defences to shreds, and Lima Sopoanga has shown some great play in recent weeks. Throw in Aaron Smith and it’s one of the most dangerous back lines in Super Rugby.
On the flipside Julian Savea, Conrad Smith and TJ Perenara have been great since the season started, and Ma’a Nonu looks to have found the form that made him one of the most intimidating centres in rugby.
One area the Hurricanes have been superb at is their scrummaging. They boast the best scrum success, winning 94 per cent of their own put in so far this year.
The Highlanders boast the highest success rate at lineouts, with 91 per cent success rate.
If the Hurricanes win it will increase their best ever start to a season, while it will also be the first time since 2003 that they have won five consecutive games – during that season they won seven in a row.
The last five Highlanders games have been settled by seven points or less, with the Dunedin side winning their last three.
Prediction
Expect a close and entertaining affair with plenty of tries being scored in perfect conditions for rugby. The Hurricanes are playing some amazing rugby at the moment and they will get the job done.
Hurricanes by 5.
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.