This match is a rematch of the 2015 Super Rugby which ended in a 14-21 victory for the Highlanders which earned them their first title.
The Hurricanes have played three matches in 2018 and they have won two and lost one.
The Highlanders on the other hand have played three matches and won all three making them the only unbeaten team this season.
- The Hurricanes have won four of their last five regular season games against the Highlanders, including each of their last two.
- Only once in 14 home games against the Highlanders have the Hurricanes failed to pick up competition points (W9, 4 losing bonus points).
- The Hurricanes have won six of their last seven New Zealand derbies on home turf, including each of their last two; only the Chiefs have defeated them in that time.
- The Highlanders have lost their last three away games in New Zealand, including a 26-point loss to the Hurricanes.
- The Highlanders have begun their season with three wins on the bounce, only three times before have they made a better start to a Super Rugby campaign (4 wins in 1999, 2000, 2012).
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off.
In the meantime why not have a look at the match preview.
TJ Perenara leads the Hurricanes out on to the field.
The Highlanders kick off and the match is underway.
1.00: The Hurricanes get the ball from the kick off and attack straight away. Ngani Laumape chips the ball to the line and chases but the Highlanders get to it, carry the ball over and dot it down. 5m scrum for the Hurricanes.
4.00: The Hurricanes win the scrum, move the ball across the field and after a couple of goes at the line the ball is lost. The Highlanders kick it deep. The Hurricanes start to attack from the back until there is a knock on.
5.00: The Highlanders try to run the ball but then Beauden Barrett gets the ball from a Highlanders grubber kick, the ball bounces well for him and he races for the line and scores. TRY!
6.00: Barrett converts his try.
10.00: Penalty to the Hurricanes for not rolling away. Barrett kicks for touch and the Hurricanes take the line out.
13.00: The Highlanders set up a line out on the 5m line. They win the line out and attack the line, after a couple of goes at the tryline the Hurricanes turn the ball over and kick it well upfield.
14.00: The Highlanders kick the ball back but prop Ben May chases and gets to the ball and rolls into touch securing what would have been an open ball for the Highlanders.
19.00: The Highlanders go through 10 phases and get to the posts. 12 phases and they have the advantage. After 14 phases the Highlanders go wide and Waisake Naholo scores. TRY!
20.00 : Lima Sopoga takes the conversion kick but misses.
23.00: The Hurricane set up a line out on the Highlanders 22. They win the line out but can’t make any ground for the first four phases. On the 5th phase the Hurricanes make 5m but lose the ball.
25.00: Penalty to the Highlanders, Sopoaga kicks for touch.
28.00: After a break in play the Hurricanes win their scrum. They kick deep but Tevita Li gets back and kicks the ball up-field and chases. The Hurricanes get the ball back but Li chases and tackles Beauden Barret into touch.
33.00: The Hurricanes win a penalty inside the Highlanders half. It’s kick-able but they take the line out option. The Hurricane win the line out but get closed down and the Highlanders get the scrum put in near the 5m line.
35.00: The Highlanders win the scrum and clear the ball into touch.
37.00: The Hurricanes go through the phases. They go wide to Ben Lam who is double tackled as he goes over in the corner. He gets the ball down but appears to have a foot in touch. The TMO does a double check and the try is awarded. TRY! In the background Ardie Savea goes off with what looks like a bad hand injury.
38.00: B.Barrett misses the conversion.
40.00: The siren sounds for half time. The Hurricanes try to play on but the ball is taken into touch.
It’s half time.
The half time score was Hurricanes 12 Highlanders 5
The whistle goes and the second half is underway. Jordie Barrett knocks on after a high ball so the Highlanders have a scrum.
The Highlanders run the ball from the scrum. They chip the ball ahead and Waisake Naholo chases and scores. TRY!
43.00: Sopoaga converts and the scores are level.
47.00: Penalty to the Hurricanes near the half way line. Jordie Barrett lines up the kick 51m out. He nails it and the Canes lead again.
52.00: The Hurricanes win the ball from a scrum. Jordie Barrett slices through the Highlanders backs but then gets caught. The Hurricanes keep the ball moving and then win a penalty. They take the line out option.
56.00: The Highlanders work the ball into the Hurricanes half but after five phases they concede a penalty for not releasing. Barrett kicks for touch and the line out.
62.00: The Highlanders win a scrum but the Hurricanes almost immediately turn the ball over.
63.00: The Hurricanes keep the ball alive as they work the ball into the Highlanders 22.
64.00: The Hurricanes go for the corner. Jordie Barrett and Vince Aso pass the ball between each other dodging tackles and Aso gets the final pass and is tackled as he goes over. His feet are high in the air as he dots the ball down in the tackle – in the corner next to the flag – and scores. TRY! The TMO confirms.
65.00 : Beauden Barrett takes the conversion kick from the sideline and he nails it.
69.00: Although the Hurricanes have a comfortable lead, they have upped the pressure. The Hurricanes drive the ball to the Highlanders tryline where they get held up. 5m scrum.
72.00: The Hurricanes drive over the line again but again they are held up. 5m scrum.
72.00 : The Hurricanes win the scrum and Ben Lam goess for the corner. Naholo tackles him but he reaches for the line and scores. TRY! The TMO confirms.
74.00 : Barrett takes the conversion kick from the other touchline and nails this one too.
78.00: The Hurricanes are in search of the bonus point try. The Hurricanes run the ball into the Highlanders 22 but lose the ball. The Highlanders counter attack but the Canes turn the ball over and kick to the corner.
80.00: After the line out the siren sounds. The Highlanders have the ball but they get stuck in their 22.
The final whistle goes. That’s it. The Hurricanes have won.
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The full time score is Hurricanes 29 (12) Highlanders 12 (5)
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries -B.Barrett, B.Lam 2, V.Aso
Pen -J.Barrett
Con -B.Barrett3
Drop –
Cards –
Highlanders
Tries – W.Naholo 2
Pen –
Con -L.Sopoaga
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Richard Kelly
TMO : Shane McDermott
Teams
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Matt Proctor , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11 Ben Lam , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara , 8 Gareth Evans , 7 Ardie Savea , 6 Brad Shields (c) , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Murray Douglas , 3 Ben May , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Chris Eves
Replacements : 16 Asafo Aumua , 17 Fraser Armstrong , 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 19 Michael Fatialofa , 20 Reed Prinsep , 21 Richard Judd , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Vince Aso
Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown,2. Liam Colman,3. Tyrel Lomax,4. Jackson Hemopo,5. Tom Franklin,6. Elliot Dixon,7. Dillon Hunt,8. Luke Whitelock,9. Aaron Smith,10. Lima Sopoaga,11. Tevita Li,12. Teihorangi Walden,13. Rob Thompson,14. Waisake Naholo,15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements:16. Ash Dixon (cc), 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Matt Faddes
