Match Result
A comprehensive second half performance has given the Hurricanes a dominant 36-12 victory here in Wellington.
The Rebels went into the half time break in front 12-10 but the Hurricanes outscored the visitors 26-0 in the second half to extend their perfect start to the season.
The Rebels weren’t bad tonight, but they were unable to spread their defensive line late in the second half with Nehe Milner-Skudder scoring two late tries to ice the game for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes have a deep squad and they showed it tonight with a brilliant game, it’s the best start they have had to a season and they will look to continue that next week against the Stormers.
For the Rebels another disappointing finish and they will return home against the Queensland Reds next week.
Match Preview
The league-leading Hurricanes will host the frustrating Rebels in what should be an entertaining cross-conference match.
Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
When we look at the previous matches between these two sides, 197 points have been scored across the fixtures. Scores of 25-15 (2014), 66-24 (2012) and 42-25 (2011) with the Hurricanes winning their last two against the Rebels.
The 2012 game actually produced the Hurricanes’ highest ever total in a game of Super Rugby, and after the way the Rebels played last week the Hurricanes could get close to that mark here.
However it will be tough with Beauden Barrett and Julian Savea taking the mandatory break that All Black players need to take during the season.
Jason Woodward will come in at fullback, with Matt Proctor moving onto the wing. James Marshall replaces Barrett at fly half, but even with those weapons out it is still a great attacking team.
Meanwhile, the Rebels gain Jack Debreczeni back from injury. That means Mike Harris will move back to fullback with Jonah Placid returning to the bench.
Prediction
The Rebels have too many holes in their defence to control this game. The Hurricanes are good at home and should win this comfortably.
Hurricanes by 15.
Can the Hurricanes continue their strong start to the 2015 Super Rugby season, or will getting away from AAMI Park be the trigger the Rebels need to cause an upset?
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If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Gilbert
Guest
True that. Plumtree doing pretty well with hurricane's pack. I hope he's offered the blues head coach post.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
John Plumtree proving his value at the 'Canes. Great coach, this season he's transitioned the forward pack into something way beyond what it's ever been before. I personally think John Smit made a huge mistake getting rid of him at the Sharks. Canes sitting pretty at the top of the table.
Harry Jones
Expert
Congrats DiggerC et al Excellent win/team
Die hard
Roar Rookie
That was the most pathetic leap from Horwell in that lineout. Sure he had no jumper but he got up all of two inches. No wonder he was too far under the ball.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Leafa can't throw Neville is another tall soft c0ck. Jones still can't get his body position right when being tackled, either gets caught up or turned badly. Higginbotham stays out on the wing for everything except scrums and can't make metres.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Not supposed to drink 'hard liquor' but win the comp mate and I'll make an exception.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Was that a 'sincere "hard luck" ... or was it a "Oh hard luck, chortle chortle!" ... Jokes aside onya ya mate, you are 'good fella' even though you support the wrong team...
Mike
Guest
What are people's thoughts on the Rebels' pigs? I gather from the comments below that they scrummaged really well, although it didn't really help on the scoreboard. I note Weeks went off early injured, so that would indicate that Paul Alo-Emile did well at TH? What about Jones and Neville in the second row? A bit worrying that Higginbotham seems to have been a penalty magnet again.
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
My first round of roar tipping, power play win aint a bad way of getting off the ground.
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
Take a panadol and head to bed.
Digby
Roar Guru
Happy times mate.
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers Brent. Excellent call Got meets. Gonna miss the game and will be offline til I watch the replay. Go Reds!
riddler
Guest
cheers brent for the call.. now you have finished with the warm up.. now for the main game.. the reds thumping the lions!! ;) here's hoping!
RobC
Roar Guru
Congrats DC and Canes. Perfect record Pick and spread the way to win. And the counter kick chase Rebs scrum excellent. Channel 1 attacks excellent. Didn't close the deal. Tahs etc would have learnt a lot from this.
Johnno
Guest
Double header Brent!
atlas
Guest
Why? Because the team you supported lost? As a ref, always interested in such claims
Luubee
Roar Rookie
Whats up with the Rebels and their offensive blocks Sometimes I thought I was watching Grid Iron
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Cheers all I'll be blogging the next game as well. :)
Johnno
Guest
This Canes side could beat the Boks.
Rollaway7
Guest
That was the worst display of reffing I have seen this year.