The Hurricanes take on the Chiefs in a match sure to contain plenty of fire and brimstone. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
In 2016, the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 28-27 in the round robin in controversial circumstances.
The Chiefs ended that game with 14 players, not because of cards, but because Chiefs management advised substitutes controller David Walsh that Siegfried Fisiihoi couldn’t play tighthead prop while replacing the injured Siate Tokolahi.
The former had, in fact, played several games of first class rugby in the position.
The Chiefs were being smashed in the scrums, but uncontested ball helped them stagger over the line in that contest.
The teams met again in the semi-finals and the Hurricanes were resounding victors.
The Hurricanes have won ten games on the trot and in the past fortnight scored 154 points – the most by any team in Super Rugby history in consecutive games. The calibre of opposition has been poor, but the Hurricanes are brimming with confidence.
There are only two changes to the Canes starting XV that demolished the Rebels in Wellington last Saturday; Loni Uhila returns from injury at loosehead prop, while Mark Abbott is preferred at lock ahead of rookie James Blackwell. The Chiefs boast arguably the best lineout in Super Rugby so the selection of the more experienced Abbott is recognition of that threat.
The Chiefs have made a handful of changes from the side that bashed the Blues. All Black openside Sam Cane returns, while Taranaki flanker Mitchell Brown will start on the blindside, replacing Liam Messam who is being rested following two massive performances.
The other changes come in the backline, with Anton Lienert-Brown shifting to second five-eighth and Tim Nanai-Williams slotting in at centre, allowing Toni Pulu to reclaim the right wing spot.
There are so many things to watch for in this game.
Ardie Savea clashes with Sam Cane. Savea blew Cane away in the semi-final last year, but Cane is seen by the All Blacks as the tougher presence at the breakdown.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow had a blinder last weekend, but faces TJ Perenara, who is in career-best form at halfback.
The brutish Ngani Laumape will test the relatively tiny Tim Nanai-Williams on defence and there will be an abundance of high kicks to stress the wingers.
This could be a preview of the final. It will be frantic. It will be brutal. It will be tight.
Old Bugger
Guest
I dunno about the Joker but Canes WB, was trying to do a Liam Messam, during some of the skirmishes...haha, bet he had fun.
taylorman
Roar Guru
On one Wellington news site the coverage attracted 300+ Comments including the commentary at around 3-4 a minute and an Auckland one around 250 so can we put these to teams back in the comp now?
Old Bugger
Guest
Exactly what I saw too TM - poorly reffed breakdowns. I don't mind not seeing this young ref, anywhere near the Chiefs, in general play.
Old Bugger
Guest
Cheers guys....hope the next meeting is under fairer weather. No rain-dancing on the terrace Digsy.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Doesn't include those at the game or watching it live in homes, pubs and clubs though does it. Or is the posting of 83 comments on an oz website of a match not involving oz sides the measure of whether teams should be playing in this comp? Hmmm...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Pity about the rain but as most of us thought the Chiefs far better prepared to take on an out of the trenches in the wet derby with two previous matches against tougher sides than the Canes hard ground light training runs. Still a great battle and the willingness to keep the ball alive by both sides wherever possible continues to give me faith in this game. Hansen will be sweating on NMHs ankle though, injuries and poorly manned and reffed breakdowns continue to be the plight on Rugby Union.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Water boys have rather odd job descriptions these days huh? Are ball boys going to be offering Djokovic advice on his next serve any time soon??
taylorman
Roar Guru
Themselves just about?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Great game in terrible weather but wow the skills level. ...
Atlas
Roar Rookie
I thought under current law ref had no choice but to red card Leitch And: "Michael Leitch faces a potential suspension after being cited by the Sanzaar citing commissioner. Leitch is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4(e), which is dangerous tackling of an opponent, and the citing commissioner deemed the challenge worthy of a red card upon further review. Blues flanker Steven Luatua, who was sent off in the Chiefs' 41-26 round two win over the Blues, was this week suspended for four matches for what was deemed a similar offence."
davSA
Guest
It is still very early season Boomeranga and this is an Australian site , I think the amount of interest is par. As an example NZ recently played SA in a very interesting one day cricket series and the commentary blog attracted a small handful of comments. Same time the test series in India got hundreds of responses.
Boomeranga
Guest
1048pm AEDT and this game has registered 83 comments including the match commentary from Adam. If there is so little interest in such a game, why are these teams not part of the killing off teams conversation? Who gives a shirt for pretty teams that no one is watching?
ukkiwi
Roar Rookie
Chiefs hit the top
ukkiwi
Roar Rookie
Top of the Table!!!
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Clinical first half from the Chiefs played the conditions brilliantly. Got a bit loose once the changes started coming and then almost threw it away at the death. Aggressive defence and a brilliant first half of playing territory got the job done. Hope Milner Skudder and Nanai Williams are not out for to long.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
TJ had a knee on the ground that should have been a penalty.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Cane was weighing up wether to take the three and chance it not going out or just end the game, the water boy was making it known what the right and only option should have been, take the three take the bonus off the Canes.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Who wrote of the chiefs this year ?dummy
Machooka
Roar Guru
Commiserations Diggeriwi... hello OB!
Digby
Roar Guru
Didn't deserve any points anyway, taught a lesson tonight, incredibly poor first half, especially discipline was woeful, work rate off the ball was poor. Chiefs urgency and realignment in defence and attack very impressive. Congrats OB!