Hurricanes
17
Match Complete
Highlanders
11
| 79 |  | M. Hunt | ||
| 57 |  | A. Smith | ||
| 50 | | M. Hunt | ||
| D. Flanders | | 47 | ||
| J. V. Wyk | | 35 | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 28 | ||
| T. Perenara | | 27 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The fifth week of Super Rugby Aotearoa will wrap up with the unconvincing Hurricanes hosting a Highlanders team coming off two losses. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 1:35pm (AEST).
Both teams have a similar predicament. Third and fourth on the table respectively, they both have a narrow win against the Chiefs, as well as losses to both the Crusaders and Blues, the form teams of the competition.
The Hurricanes have been cruelled by their lineout, and in last week’s win, almost gave the game away in the dying stages with extremely poor discipline. The Highlanders dropped the game to the Blues by just one point, but were outlasted by the Crusaders in a 40-20 loss.
Overall, the Highlanders have probably been more convincing. Yet the Hurricanes, starting to find their feet without Beauden Barrett, are favourites today.
There are some decent match-ups today. Aaron Smith versus TJ Perenara is the battle for the All Blacks’ nine jersey. Looking through the Hurricanes’ line-up, when you get to the backs, the talent starts to shine through. The Highlanders will want to keep it tight, ideally play to their strengths, which is mainly the experienced and solid forward pack.
While the Highlanders haven’t beaten the Canes in Wellington since the 2015 grand final, the hosts have lost their last two at home, so they’re hardly invincible at present.
In team news, there are some major outs for the Hurricanes. Dane Coles is ruled out with a calf niggle, bringing in Asafo Aumua to hooker.
Ben May comes in for the injured Fraser Armstrong, as Reed Prinsep and Gareth Evans both sit out with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. In their places are Devan Flanders and Murphy Taramai.
Jackson Garden-Bachop has been performing at ten, but instead Fletcher Smith comes in.
For the visitors, Josh Dickson has been ruled out for the year with a broken leg. So Pari Pari Parkinson and Jack Whetton run out in the second row.
Prediction
The Highlanders are a good team, and have performed better than the Canes so far in Super Rugby Aotearoa. I’m surprised they aren’t favourites. The Hurricanes’ decision to sub out Garden-Bachop might cost them.
Highlanders by eight.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 1:35pm (AEST).
Game information
Kick-off: 1:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Sky Stadium
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Hurricanes $1.47, Highlanders $2.70
Teams
Hurricanes
Ben May, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Scott Scrafton, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Fletcher Smith, Ben Lam, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Kobus Van Wyk, Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Vaea Fifita, Murphy Taramai, Jamie Booth, Billy Proctor, Wes Goosen.
Highlanders
Ayden Johnstone, Ash Dixon, Siate Tokolahi, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jack Whetton, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Patelesio Tomkinson, Rob Thompson, Scott Gregory, Michael Collins.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jesse Parete, Kayne Hammington, Bryn Gatland, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Josh Ioane?
Double Agent
Guest
How good are the NZ 10s? Apart from the usual faces they've got Mitchell Hunt and Ortere Black. It's incredible.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Annoys the heck out of most people Paulo. It’s not rugby, and when rugby ‘stars‘ indulge they dim imo.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Canes can beat anyone on a good day. Definitely have the strike power and game breakers. Lam is starting to look better again. Just think they are suffering without a strong 10. Having TJ step in sometimes seems to be a fix of sorts, but surely is only a short term one. Have a soft spot for the Canes so would like to see them do well, but don’t see it this year.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Whilst I think you are likely right, the Canes do feel like they are building. Lam is starting to step up again and show why he was one of the top try scorers a year or so back, then you have weapons like Laumape and Suvea add in Aumua and sprinkle some TJ magic and who knows. Blues would have to be favourites but I think on their day Canes could get it done.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, but looking how they both played this weekend, I don’t see the Canes getting over them. I can obviously be wrong though, it’s just my opinion.
Toddyq
Roar Rookie
The Canes are only one win behind the blues and they play each other next
Micko
Roar Rookie
Fair enough.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
It’s pretty much a two horse race now between the Blues and Crusaders, which was a sell out last night.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, was annoyed they walked that slow to restart, the ref wasn’t going to call time, they were always going to restart and then next stop would kill the game. Time wasting then served no one.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Fair enough Danny. I thought the comp still was open still with a long way to go yet?
MikeJ
Roar Rookie
Nz are stacked in the fullback position. So many very good players to choose from.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
That wasn't a bad bloody crowd for the day, it was blowing pretty hard,and both teams basically out of comp, a northerly wind, hence why they were at other end of field and not facing into it.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Where was the crowd? I thought you kiwis were crowing over sellout crowds, or was that just for one game?
Highlander
Guest
Execution at key times not great from the Highlanders, just not enough points in this side to worry others. Lineout cratered when it mattered.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Doesn't change the ladder much – Canes overtake the Landers, is all. Both teams still chances, but only remote ones. Halfway through the comp, I've loved every minute. Cheers for joining me. FULLTIME: Hurricanes 17 Highlanders 11
Tom English
Roar Guru
Highlanders finish with a losing bonus point however. So what do you say. Landers won the 2nd half, 11-5. But just couldn't bridge that 12 point gap at the break. Tough, physical – we love it like that. Halfway through Super Rugby Aotearoa as well. FULLTIME: Hurricanes 17 Highlanders 11
Tom English
Roar Guru
Lineout Highlanders. 43 out. Right hand side. Coltman to throw. Canes win it!! Booth fires it into touch – FULLTIME! FULLTIME: Hurricanes 17 Highlanders 11
Tom English
Roar Guru
Barrett taking as long as is humanly possible. Deep deep kick. 17 out. They're going backwards, now they move it wide. Back the other way. Penalty Highlanders! 82' – final play. Hurricanes 17 Highlanders 11
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