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Round eight of the 2013 Super Rugby season continues tonight with the Hurricanes hosting the NSW Waratahs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.35pm AEDT.
Both these teams lurk just outside the top six and while both would be described as inconsistent, both teams are also starting to put wins on the board.
The visiting Waratahs have just recorded their first back to back wins in a year. The Hurricanes meanwhile have managed to string three wins together (split by their bye round).
For the Waratahs this game is simple – more of the same please. They are about to head into their second bye and need a win to stay in touch with the Brumbies and the Reds in the Australian conference.
Encouragingly their players are starting to look like they may actually earn their Wallabies jerseys for once.
Hooper just played his best game in a sky blue jersey, Dave Dennis and Benn Robinson are getting more involved, Adam Ashley-Cooper is starting to benefit from some continuity of selection at outside-centre, Drew Mitchell is reminding us that he’s a still a decent winger, and Israel Folau is learning and improving every match (and you can’t ask for much more than that from a rugby league convert).
As for the Hurricanes, well sometimes I think they’re Forrest Gump’s team because every time they take the field “you just never know what you’re going to get” (yeah, I went there).
At their attacking best the Hurricanes are simply sublime, sadly we have seen precious little of that form this year.
Instead the 2013 incarnation of the team has looked more competent when creating off the back of their strong set piece and playing simple direct rugby rather than attacking the broken field.
I expect the Hurricanes will be looking to exploit the areas where they have superior man on man match-ups – in the halves (Perenara and Barrett) and out wide (Savea and Leiua).
Both teams can get a little loose in general play so providing the weather stays fine we could be in for a good game as the teams look well matched on paper.
I am tipping the home side, but really I am just hoping for another Ben Franks moment on the wing doing a front-row sidestep and this time steamrolling Izzy Folau.
I’ll be here just before kickoff at 5.35pm AEDT to check the weather, the starting line-ups and the referee.
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.