The two leading attacking teams of the 2014 Super Rugby season, the Hurricanes and Crusaders are facing off this weekend in what is expected to be a super-charged match at Westpac Stadium.
Statistics suggest a close encounter is on the cards, with both teams averaging 29 points per game. The Hurricanes have managed to score 407 points in 14 matches, while the Crusaders have generated 381 points in 13 fixtures.
With the Hurricanes trailing the New Zealand Conference leaders by four points, the match is a ‘must-win’ for the home side, who do not have a game in hand, unlike their Kiwi counterparts.
An injury to captain Conrad Smith has forced Mark Hammett to make one change to his most recent backline, with Tim Bateman coming in to fill Smith’s spot at centre.
Blade Thomson also enters the starting line-up, while Brad Shields comes into the back row for an injured Faifili Levave.
Jeremy Thrush has been given the captaincy in Smith’s absence.
Hurricanes: 15 Matt Proctor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Blade Thomson, 4 Jeremy Thrush (Captain), 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u/Reggie Goodes, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Reggie Goodes/Brendon Edmonds, 19 James Broadhurst, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Hadleigh Parkes, 23 James Marshall.
Date: Saturday 28 June
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)