The Highlanders would not the let the Hurricanes taste revenge on Saturday, securing a 1-point win over the team they defeated in last year’s Super Rugby grand final.
Final score
Highlanders 17
Hurricanes 16
The replay of last year’s final features two Round 1 losers desperate to atone for their initial setbacks. Join The Roar for live and scores coverage of the Hurricanes and the Highlanders from Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin starting at 5:35pm AEDT.
Matches between these two rivals are generally close-run battles. In 14 of the last 15 matches between these two sides, the winner has won by seven points or less, the only exception being the Hurricanes 56-20 regular season win last year. That game was just hours after Jerry Collins passed away.
The Hurricanes will be determined to bury the demons of the 2015 final and last weeks’ Brumbies shellacking – their second biggest loss in franchise history.
Coach Chris Boyd has resisted wholesale changes making just one enforced change to the starting XV. All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder is scratched because of a leg injury and is replaced by James Marshall who scored a spectacular try in the before-mentioned 56-20 game.
Elsewhere wounded professional pride will surely be enough motivation to spark a huge improvement from the Hurricanes. The side features eight survivors in the starting XV from last year’s decider and six All Blacks.
The Highlanders have made three changes from the team that lost narrowly to the Blues. Brendon Edmonds who was the starting loosehead last season returns at the expense of Daniel Lienert-Brown who goes to the bench. Number Eight Liam Squire is regulated to the bench. Luke Whitelock takes his place at the back of the scrum in his 51st Super Rugby game and debut for the Highlanders.
The withdrawal of Waisake Naholo due to injury provides local boy Matt Faddes with a chance to stake a claim for the vacant wing berth.
Where will this game be won and lost?
The Highlanders midfield of All Black Malakai Fekitoa and Teihorangi Walden, who impressed against the Blues, will look to exploit the inexperience of Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape who looked very fragile last week.
The Hurricanes scrum imploded against the Brumbies and rookie hooker Leni Apisai will be sorely tested by Liam Coltman.
Both teams are dangerous counter-attacking units so mistakes in open play will be punished.
Prediction – Highlanders by five.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah happy to hear Muzzo... and as I might have mentioned the Wife, bless her and the ground she walks on, came back from the weekly shopping with an old familiar friend in Jack. Figured I needed cheering up after those nasty Brums kicked the shyte outta us. Hence, my other good buddy Jack and I sat down and did some Coke... don't remember much after that, but I think I had a great time. Although, on second thoughts, you might need to ask Digger... I have a vague recollection, your honour, that I gave him a bit of a caning :))
Muzzo
Guest
Hey Buddy, after a few, things were so much better......
Muzzo
Guest
Without Doubt Adam, I would be throwing in both Ben Smith & Victor Vito, into that list mate. They were both outstanding, with those you have listed.
Muzzo
Guest
Yeh I Know RT. It was a great game, & we were Soooooooooo, lucky, especially after, The Moron's Office decision. But that's the game, you win some, & you lose some. Bad luck, mate with the Blue's, but, geee the Crusaders, do have an excellent pack, & that is where they won it. Good to see Richie score his second try, in successive games. Cheers
Muzzo
Guest
Yep thanks Digger, but honestly mate I do know why, NOW, they call it the TMO!! The Moron's Office, I still reckon that was a try. Even Glenn Jackson, wasn't totally convinced with the response from the moron's office, but I think to save face, he went along with it. Yeh true, I'm biased, but when decision's like that are handed down, it does make one jump up & down. It was a great game, & it's so easy to see, that after Rio, Richie's boots will be filled by Ardie Savea. Even Victor Vito had a massive game, but I did feel sorry for the Bus, who virtually had his top deck taken off him when Sapoaga, stopped, what appeared to be a try for him. Well Digger, at least w3e can say it was a great game. Cheers
Digby
Roar Guru
Not very dignified, a few of the kids toys which were lazily left out on the deck have suffered a fair old kicking ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Oh yes Tragic... Muzzo is so impartial that he'd be...? OK who am i kidding, but what the hell happen at the end of that game. Hey, everyone knows I'm a Tahs Tragic (:)) but wtf?? Seriously... I've seen some stuff tonight that's made me cringe. Sort it out SANZAAR!
Machooka
Roar Guru
This is not right eh Digger... your second name be Dignified. No doubt you are gonna spring back and call other games... but as da marathon man of dis house this is you're new challenge. Big ups buddy!! Notice... I used two excalmation marks for serious effect.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Muzzo impartial ???... Ummm ... well he can bask in the success .. very intense 2nd half that I watched, I suppose it will show territory and possession dominated by the 'landers but gotta give credit to the Canes for 'hangin' there' and lets face it ... it could have gone either way..
Machooka
Roar Guru
Seriously that was BS at the end... no try? WTF?? I've discussed this with Muzzo, who's entirely impartial, that was a try you idgets!! See Digger... good use of the exclamation mark but sorry for your pain.
Digby
Roar Guru
Well done Highlanders, too good when it mattered. Superb last 15 minutes. Congrats Highlander, Muzzo and others. Gutted, but no complaints, had plenty of opportunity to win and a fair slice of luck. Still, proud of the lads with the turnaround from last weekend. 0 from 2 but both away in Canberra and reigning champs in Dunedin. Plenty of season left yet. Thanks Adam.
Highlander
Guest
ok to reply now, little shaky there RT. we don't like mr Jackson down this way (esp after the game against you guys)
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Highlanders dominated the last 20 minutes. Hurricanes costly errors proved telling after long periods of pressure. Best Aaron Smith Malakai Fekitoa Joe Wheeler Tom Franklin Ardie Savea Mark Abbott Barrett at times.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Commiserations digger and Canes fans... congratulations Highlanders, a tough, tough win ...
Highlander
Guest
that wasn't good
Highlander
Guest
Kinda feels right based on the second effort by the Southerners. Well played boys Unlucky Digger, Good luck next week
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Highlanders: 17 v Hurricanes: 16
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Victor. TJ awful pass and penalty given away.
Digby
Roar Guru
What are you doing Jason?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Dumb, dumb kick... at least it had to sat in play