The Hurricanes and Rebels have only ever played each other once in Super Rugby and that match was held in Melbourne last year

The Rebels won the sixth round match 42-25 and scored six tries in the match. Interestingly the Rebels scored four tries and earned a bonus point for their effort.

The Hurricanes lost to the Brumbies in Wellington last weekend which ended a two match winning run that had got them back into the top six.

The Rebels are enjoying contrasting form to the Canes as they will go into the match off back to back wins against the Crusaders and the Force.

The closest conference race is in the New Zealand conference and as the Hurricanes face the Crusaders and Chiefs in the final two rounds they need to win this weekend and next week in Sydney when they play the Waratahs to stay in the hunt.

This match is the second last home match this season for the Hurricanes unless they qualify so they will want to make the most of their home advantage while they can.

The Rebels have played 13 matches away from Melbourne since they joined Super Rugby last year. They have never won in South Africa or New Zealand and both away wins came in Perth. They have also never won three matches in a row.

The Bookies have given the Rebels a 10 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. Three straight wins seems to be too much for the much improved Rebels. The Hurricanes should win by 6.

This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports 4/HD.

Average score: Rebels 42 Hurricanes 25

Last result
25 Mar 2011 Hurricanes v Rebels 25-42 Melbourne

Hurricanes overall record against the Rebels
Played 1 , Wins 0 , Losses 1 , Draws 0

Match No.89: Hurricanes v Rebels
Date Saturday 26 May
Venue : Wellington
Kick Off local: 17:30
Referee: Jonathon White
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Richard Kelly
TMO : Vinny Munro

Teams

Hurricanes

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

Reserves:16. Motu Matu’u ,17. Reg Goodes ,18. James Broadhurst ,19. Brad Shields ,20. Chris Eaton ,21. Tusi Pisi ,22. Jayden Hayward

Rebels

15. Julian Huxley, 14. Mark Gerrard, 13. Mitch Inman, 12. Lachlan Mitchell, 11. Cooper Vuna, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Nick Phipps, 8.Gareth Delve (c), 7. Tim Davidson, 6. Luke Jones, 5. Hugh Pyle, 4.Cadeyrn Neville, 3. Jono Owen, 2. Ged Robinson, 1. Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16. Adam Freier, 17. Rodney Blake, 18. Al Campbell, 19. Tom Chamberlain, 20. Richard Kingi, 21. James Hilgendorf, 22. Stirling Mortlock.