In the last eleven matches between these two teams the Hurricanes have won one match and the Crusaders have won eight matches with two draws.

The record books show that the teams have played each other 21 times but one of the matches - last year in February - was cancelled and called a draw due to the Christchurch earthquakes so the stats also show an extra draw that "didn't really happen".

In the 20 times the Hurricanes and the Crusaders have played each other the Hurricanes have won just four matches and the Crusaders 14.

Without including the cancelled match there have also been two draws. This works out to a success ratio of just 19% for the Hurricanes.

On average when the two teams meet the Hurricanes score 19 points and the Crusaders score 27 points.

In Wellington the two teams have played each other eight times and the Hurricanes have won twice and lost to the Crusaders five times and drawn once 26 all in 2010. That works out to a 22% success ratio for the Hurricanes.

In Wellington, when the teams play each other the average score is Hurricanes 18 and Crusaders 26.

The Hurricanes and the Crusaders currently occupy the sixth and seventh places in the Super Rugby standings. The Crusaders are lower in the standings but they will start the match with considerably more confidence after they became the first team to beat the Stormers last weekend.

The Bookies have given the Hurricanes a 7 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. The Crusaders are the only team to have beaten the Stormers so we have to back them to win this one. Crusaders to win by 8.

This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on the Sky Sports HD4.

Average score: Hurricanes 19 Crusaders 27

Last five results
18 Jun 2011 Hurricanes v Crusaders 9-16 Wellington
26 Feb 2011 Hurricanes v Crusaders 0-0 Wellington (Game cancelled)
02 Apr 2010 Hurricanes v Crusaders 26-26 Wellington
27 Feb 2009 Hurricanes v Crusaders 30-24 Christchurch
28 Mar 2008 Hurricanes v Crusaders 13-20 Wellington
20 Apr 2007 Hurricanes v Crusaders 13-23 Christchurch

Hurricanes overall record against the Crusaders
Played 21 , Wins 4, Losses 14 , Draws 3

Match No .57: Hurricanes v Crusaders
Date Saturday 21 April
Venue : Wellington
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Fraser
TMO:Bryce Lawrence

Teams

Crusaders:

1. Wyatt Crockett 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Tom Donnelly, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. George Whitelock, 7. Matt Todd, 8. Kieran Read, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Tom Taylor, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Dan Carter, 13. Robbie Fruean, 14. Adam Whitelock, 15. Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Luke Whitelock, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Ryan Crotty, 22. Tom Marshall.

Hurricanes

1. Ben May,2. Dane Coles,3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,4. Jeremy Thrush,5. Jason Eaton,6. Faifili Levave,7. Karl Lowe,8. Victor Vito,9. TJ Perenara / Chris Eaton,10. Beauden Barrett,11. Julian Savea,12. Tim Bateman,13. Conrad Smith (c),14. Cory Jane,15. Andre Taylor

Replacements : 16. Motu Matu'u,17. Michael Bent ,18. James Broadhurst,19. Jack Lam / Mark Reddish,20. Chris Eaton / Frae Wilson,21. Tusi Pisi,22. Alapati Leiua