Hurricanes v Blues - Super Rugby match preview
The Hurricanes kick off the new Super 15 rugby season against the Blues in Wellington on Saturday.
Last Updated: 23/02/13 10:18am
Mark Hammett's men were 2012's surprise package as they played a brand of rugby that caused all opposition real problems.
They unearthed the talents of Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara and Julian Savea while Conrad Smith thrived as skipper following senior players' exits.
Four points stood between the Hurricanes and a place in the play-offs, which was an impressive feat seeing as few had given the 'Canes a chance.
This year it is the Blues who have been branded as somewhat no-hopers in a quintet that should provide plenty of entertainment from now until July.
Take note of names such as Frank Halai, Francis Saili and current New Zealand Sevens representative Ben Lam, who has been excellent on the IRB circuit this season. Also factor in something of a dream coaching trio of Sir Graham Henry, Sir John Kirwan and Mick Byrne and their rebuilding job is underway.
Spectacle
Saturday's fixture should be a high-octane spectacle that sees two key players clash at outside centre. Smith, as mentioned, was consistently superb last season while this campaign a maturing Rene Ranger has been given greater responsibility to lead.
Ranger has long possessed the necessary tools that should have made him one of the most lethal backs in the competition. Unfortunately, his route to regular All Black recognition has not materialised.
This might be his year though - following Richard Kahui announcing his upcoming venture to Japan while Tamati Ellison is injured for most of the campaign - and we may also see a potentially lethal combo with Saili settle sooner rather than later.
All the ingredients bode well for a fantastic 80 minutes at Westpac Stadium as the 'Canes, missing Cory Jane, hope that Savea and Andre Taylor offer sufficient threats to get past a Blues line-up that has trained exceptionally hard during their pre-season.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (c), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Liaki Moli, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Bryn Hall, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Jackson Willison.