Super Rugby Aotearoa reaches the fourth round this weekend and although the Blues currently lead the standings, they have a bye this weekend so they could lose their place at the top.
At the other end are the Hurricanes, at the bottom, and with two points the Chiefs. These teams meet this weekend on Sunday and a loss for either side is one that neither side can afford.
The Highlanders are mid-table and host the Crusaders who are looking strong in second place with two wins from two.
Highlanders v Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Highlanders have played the Crusaders 38 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Highlanders have won 11 matches, lost 26 times and drawn once.
The Highlanders 11 wins out of 38 matches gives them a record of winning 29% of their matches against the Crusaders regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Dunedin which is home for the Highlanders and the venue where the teams have met 17 times.
In those 17 matches played in Dunedin, the Highlanders have won 7 matches and lost 9 and drawn one. This gives the Highlanders a record of winning 41% of their matches against the
Crusaders at home.
The average score when the Highlanders play the Crusaders in Dunedin is: Highlanders 19 Crusaders 24.
The last scheduled match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders in Dunedin was canceled due to terrorist attacks. The last time they actually met in Dunedin was in 2018 and the Highlanders won.
Average score: Highlanders 20 Crusaders 29
Last five results
Fri, 21 Feb 2020 Highlanders v Crusaders 13-33 Christchurch
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 Highlanders v Crusaders 14-38 Christchurch
Fri, 12 Apr 2019 Highlanders v Crusaders 17-43 Christchurch
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 Highlanders v Crusaders 0-0 Dunedin
Fri, 06 Jul 2018 Highlanders v Crusaders 22-45 Christchurch
Highlanders overall record against the Crusaders
Played 38, Wins 11, Losses 26, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 4 July
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Paul Williams
TMO: Chris Hart
Teams
Highlanders
15 Michael Collins, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith (co-captain), 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Jeff Thwaites, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Vilimoni Koroi
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody,2. Codie Taylor (C),3. Michael Alaalatoa,4. Samuel Whitelock,5. Mitchell Dunshea,6. Ethan Blackadder,7. Tom Christie,8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (VC),9. Mitchell Drummond,10. Richie Mo’unga,11. Leicester Faingaanuku,12. Jack Goodhue,13. Braydon Ennor,14. Will Jordan,15. David Havili (VC)
Replacements: 16. Andrew Makalio,17. George Bower,18. Oliver Jager,19. Quinten Strange,20. Sione Havili,21. Ereatara Enari,22. Fetuli Paea*, 23. Sevu Reece
*denotes Super Rugby debut
Chiefs v Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Chiefs have played the Hurricanes 36 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Chiefs have won 15 matches, lost 19 times and drawn twice.
The Chiefs 15 wins out of 36 matches gives them a record of winning 42% of their matches against the Hurricanes regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Hamilton which is home for the Chiefs and the venue where the teams have met 17 times.
In those 17 matches played in Hamilton, the Chiefs have won 9 matches, lost 6 and drawn 2. This gives the Chiefs a record of winning 53% of their matches against the
Hurricanes at home.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Hurricanes in Hamilton is Chiefs 24 Hurricanes 20.
The Chiefs have won the last five matches against the Hurricanes in Hamilton and Hurricanes have not won in the city since 2014.
The Hurricanes won the last match against the Chiefs in Hamilton and the match prior to that ended in a draw. The Chiefs have not beaten Hurricanes in their last four attempts and their last win was in 2018.
Average score: Chiefs 22 Hurricanes 24
Last five results
Fri, 13 Mar 2020 Chiefs v Hurricanes 24-27 Hamilton
Sat, 27 Apr 2019 Chiefs v Hurricanes 19-47 Wellington
Fri, 15 Mar 2019 Chiefs v Hurricanes 23-23 Hamilton
Fri, 20 Jul 2018 Chiefs v Hurricanes 31-32 Wellington
Fri, 13 Jul 2018 Chiefs v Hurricanes 28-24Hamilton
Chiefs overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 36, Wins 15, Losses 19, Draws 2
Match Officials and details
Date : Sunday 5 July
Venue : FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick Off local: 15:35
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO : Glenn Newman
Teams
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Mitchell Brown, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara (co-captain), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles (co-captain), 1 Fraser Armstrong
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ben May, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen