Round 15 of the Super Rugby kicks off with a bang as defending champions, the Crusaders, host the 2016 champions, the Hurricanes, in Christchurch on Friday, 25 May.
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 9:35 am
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
Draw 20/1
Hurricanes 21/20
Crusaders (-1.5) 9/10
Hurricanes (+1.5) 9/10
Both teams currently dominate the competition this year, but the Hurricanes have the slight edge over their counterparts – one game in hand and a point behind in the NZ conference – a win over the ‘Saders already earlier on in the campaign.
The Crusaders have lost two of their 12 matches played whereas the Hurricanes have lost one from their 11. Christchurch will make for an interesting affair as the crème de la crème of New Zealand rugby will serve an entrée of entertainment.
Crusaders’ stalwarts – Ryan Crotty and Sam Whitelock will miss out due to a concussion that will see Tim Bateman and Matt Todd replace them respectively.
For the Hurricanes, Chris Boyd has made a few changes that will see Jordie Barrett move from fullback to outside centre alongside Laumape. Milner-Skudder will move to his much-preferred fullback position and Julian Savea will provide grunt down the right wing.
Scott Robertson’s side has had some close results of late, although winning their last five encounters they’ve had to work really hard. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are in cruise control and will look to set a Super Rugby winning streak record of 11 wins on the trot should they win in Christchurch on Friday.
Verdict: Hurricanes 21/20
The new backline combinations and with Beauden Barrett controlling the game, I predict a hard-fought win by the Hurricanes especially with the Crusaders recent unconvincing results and the loss of Whitelock and Crotty.
Previous results:
2018: Hurricanes won 29-19 in Wellington
2017: Hurricanes won 31-22 in Wellington
2017: Crusaders won 20-12 in Christchurch
2016: Hurricanes won 35-10 in Christchurch
2015: Crusaders won 35-18 in Christchurch
2015: Hurricanes won 29-23 in Wellington
2014: Hurricanes won 16-9 in Wellington
2014: Hurricanes won 29-26 in Christchurch
2013: Crusaders won 25-17 in Christchurch
The teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jonah Lowe
