Expert
Hurricanes
29
Match Complete
Chiefs
35
75 | D. McKenzie | |||
74 | L. Jacobson | |||
J. Barrett | 73 | |||
67 | D. McKenzie | |||
65 | N. A. Kuoi | |||
58 | D. McKenzie | |||
57 | B. Weber | |||
56 | D. McKenzie | |||
56 | C. Tiatia | |||
J. Barrett | 37 | |||
S. Rayasi | 36 | |||
J. Barrett | 23 | |||
S. Rayasi | 21 | |||
R. Riccitelli | 15 | |||
13 | D. McKenzie | |||
12 | K. Trask | |||
J. Barrett | 11 | |||
L. Campbell | 10 |
4 | Tries | 5 | ||
3 | Conversions | 5 | ||
1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Hurricanes welcome the Chiefs to Wellington in what is a crucial, bottom of the table clash as Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 4 kicks off. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 17:00 AEDT on Saturday.
It’s been a tough start to the season for both sides. Both are winless so far in the 2021 competition and both team’s defences have been leaking far too many points – an average of over 30 per game.
Both sides are full of talent but all eyes will be on the battle at flyhalf today where two debutant Orbyn Leger for the Hurricanes will go up against 22-year-old Kaleb Trask, who has just five Super Rugby games under his belt.
Besides Leger, the Canes have made a few other changes to the starting line-up with Luke Campbell, Salesi Rayasi and Billy Proctor in the backs and Xavier Numia up front all getting the chance to get the home side off to a strong start.
Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has also made five changes to his starting side. Up front Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Aidan Ross have moved from the bench to the run-on side and then in the backs, along with Trask, we’ll get to see Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jonah Lowe.
The Chiefs are on a very bad run of form and are facing the reality that they could set a new record for the worst-ever losing streak. They will be desperate to stop this terrible run but will have to win the battle up front before they can look to unleash their backs.
Prediction
These two teams might be on the bottom of the table but that doesn’t mean there isn’t incredible talent within their ranks. The key however is going to be the battle up front and defence – the Canes are going to edge it here and the Chiefs will pick up another L.
Hurricanes by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 17:00 AEDT on Saturday.
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Hurricanes $1.58, Chiefs $2.38 (odds via PlayUp)
Hurricanes
Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen
Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Oliver Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Chase Tiatia
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