The Hurricanes needed a late Conrad Smith try in Auckland to beat the Blues the last time these two Super Rugby teams met which was only six weeks ago in Round 5.

The Hurricanes have played the Blues 18 times and have only won six times and lost 11 times and draw once.

The relatively poor record is because the Hurricanes lost every match to the Blues (nine) between 1996 and 2003.

Since 2003 when the Hurricanes ended their losing streak with a draw the teams have played each other 11 times and in those 11 matches the Hurricanes have won six times.

On average when the Hurricanes play the Blues they scored 24 points and the Blues score 29 points.

In Wellington the teams have played each other 8 times and surprisingly the Hurricanes have only won twice.

Out of eight matches against the Blues in Wellington the Hurricanes have a record of played 8, won 2, lost 5 and drawn once.

The average scores also come out in favour of the Blues in Wellington as the average score is Hurricanes 24 and Blues 32.

These figures translate to the Hurricanes having won 33 % of all of their matches against the Blues and at home they have only won 25% of their matches.

The Blues appeared to step a little backwards last week when they lost for the first time in Super Rugby history to the Reds.

We have said for some time the Blues aren't a bad team they are just trying too hard and the team work is slipping. Last week they had different problems as the lost 11-23 and were outscored by three tries to one.

The Hurricanes were also not as good as they would have liked to have been last week as they lost 33-14 to the Chiefs.

Last week's results mean that both teams will be going into the match on the back of loss putting them in a similar position. That said the Blues are on a six match losing streak they are really lacking confidence.

The Hurricanes are unchanged for this match while the Blues have made three changes dropping Gareth Anscombe from the 22.

The Bookies have given Blues  a 5 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. Logic says that if the Hurricanes beat the Blues in Auckland recentl they should be able to win at home. Hurricanes should win by three.

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

Average score: Hurricanes 24 Blues 29

Last five results
23 Mar 2012 Hurricanes v Blues 26-25 Auckland
06 May 2011 Hurricanes v Blues 11-17 Wellington
19 Mar 2011 Hurricanes v Blues 17-41 Auckland
12 Feb 2010 Hurricanes v Blues 34-20 Auckland
01 May 2009 Hurricanes v Blues 45-27 Wellington

Hurricanes overall record against the Blues
Played 18 , Wins 6 , Losses 11, Draws 1

Match No 67: Hurricanes v Blues
Date Friday 4 May,
Venue : Wellington
Kick Off : 19:35 NZT, 17:35 AEST, 09:35 SAST
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Francisco Pastrana
TMO:Garratt Williamson

Teams

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,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. Reg Goodes,18. Jack Lam,19. Brad Shields,20. Chris Eaton,21. Charlie Ngatai,22. Alapati Leiua

Blues

1. Tevita Mailau , 2. Tom McCartney , 3. Charlie Faumuina , 4. Filo Paulo , 5. Ali Williams , 6. Chris Lowrey , 7. Luke Braid (c) , 8. Peter Saili , 9. Piri Weepu , 10. Michael Hobbs , 11. George Moala , 12. Ma'a Nonu , 13. Benson Stanley , 14. Rene Ranger , 15. Hadleigh Parkes

Replacements : 16. James Parsons , 17. Angus Ta'avao , 18. Liaki Moli , 19. Daniel Braid , 20. Alby Mathewson , 21. Lachie Munro , 22. David Raikuna