PREVIEW: Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa – Hurricanes v Blues

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Match details: Hurricanes v Blues, Saturday 18 July, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Ben O’Keffee

Played: 34

Won: Hurricanes 17, Blues 16, Drawn 1

Last match: Blues 30, Hurricanes 20 (14 June 2020)

Watch: Sky Sport 1

TICKETS

FORM

At the 60-minute mark of their clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch last week, it looked like the Blues were going to be the only unbeaten team left in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. Nothing is ever granted against the Crusaders though and two tries in the final quarter saw the defending champions steal the game late. The loss left the Blues in second spot on the ladder, six points adrift of the Crusaders. The Hurricanes dropped their first two games of the season to the Blues and Crusaders before bouncing back with wins over the Highlanders and Chiefs to sit in third spot on the table.

SET-PIECE DANGER

The Hurricanes set-piece attack has been on fire in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. Normally renowned for their electric counterattack and opportunism out wide, the Hurricanes have scored five tries following a put-in to their own scrum this season. That is more than all the other New Zealand teams combined.

BROTHER v BROTHER

Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa points aren’t the only thing on the line at Sky Stadium this Saturday. So too is bragging rights at the Barrett family Christmas lunch with brothers Beauden and Jordie squaring off in the 15 jersey for the first time in their career. The Hurricanes have won two on the trot since Jordie returned from injury in round four while Beauden’s talents need no introducing. The stage is set for an intriguing head-to-head battle between the talent siblings.

MACDONALD TAKES THE POSITIVES

Blues coach Leon MacDonald believes his side can improve on their performance against the Crusaders last week when they take on the Hurricanes in Wellington. “We did a lot of very good things at set phase and the collision area, and we produced some important front-foot ball. Hopefully the boys can take confidence from those positives into what will be another big battle this week,” said MacDonald.

STATCHAT

The Blues have won their last two matches against the Hurricanes. Their previous longest winning streak against the Hurricanes was eight games between 1996-2003.

TEAMS

 

Hurricanes:

15: Jordie Barrett 14: Kobus Van Wyk 13: Peter Umaga-Jensen 12: Ngani Laumape 11: Ben Lam 10: Fletcher Smith 9: TJ Perenara 8: Ardie Savea 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 6: Reed Prinsep 5: Scott Scrafton 4: James Blackwell 3: Tyrel Lomax 2: Dane Coles (C) 1: Ben May

Reserves: 16: Asafo Aumua 17: Fraser Armstrong 18: Alex Fidow 19: Isaia Walker-Leaware 20: Tony Lamborn 21: Jonathan Ruru 22: TJ Faiane 23: Matt Duffie

Blues:

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Aaron Carroll, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman.

Reserves: 16 Tolai Luteru, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 TJ Faiane, 23 Matt Duffie.