The Chiefs and Hurricanes will square off on Friday the 13th of March in what should be a classic New Zealand derby.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
The Chiefs will be looking to retain top spot on the New Zealand Conference standings when they host the Hurricanes in Friday’s sole fixtures. Both teams have a number extremely talented of All Blacks running out for them, so this one could be a real spectacle.
Friday 13 March
Chiefs v Hurricanes
FMG Stadium Waikato
08:05
To Win (80 mins)
Chiefs 7/20
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 22/10
Handicap
Chiefs (-7.5) 9/10
Hurricanes (+7.5) 9/10
Chiefs
Warren Gatland’s men bounced back from their shock defeat at home to the Brumbies by beating the Waratahs 14-51 out in Wollongong last Friday. The Chiefs actually trailed at the break but a second-half blitz saw them canter to a mammoth bonus point victory.
It was rather surprising that the Chiefs managed to turn on the style last weekend as they were missing a number of their All Black stars with Damien McKenzie and Atu Moli both left out of the matchday squad. The aforementioned duo will return the matchday squad this week, which is worrying news for the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes
The ‘Canes endured a far less fruitful Round 6 than their opponents for this weekend as they went down 15-24 to the Blues out in Wellington. They were their own worst enemies in last weekend’s encounter as prop Tyrell Lomax was red-carded while All Blacks Jordie Barrett and Vaea Fifita were shown yellow cards.
Jason Holland’s men will need to be far more disciplined this week if they are to get one over the Chiefs who have solid goal-kickers in the form of Aaron Cruden and Damien McKenzie. They will also need to be solid at the setpiece, which is going to be challenging considering talented tight head Tyrell Lomax will sit out due to the ban he has copped for last weekend’s dangerous tackle that saw him sent from the Westpac field.
Verdict: Chiefs (-7.5) 9/10
While the ‘Canes have named a very strong squad for this one, I feel they will struggle without Lomax who has been an absolute Trojan at the set-piece. I can see the Chiefs dominating the tight exchanges and ultimately grinding the ‘Canes down.
