Recap: Highlanders v Hurricanes

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Five match between the Highlanders and Hurricanes in Dunedin.

The Highlanders picked up a 38-21 win in their last Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes, their second win in eight games against them; they will now hunt for back-to-back wins against them for the first time since March 2016.

The Highlanders have lost five of their last seven Super Rugby games as hosts on the day, as many as they had lost in their 35 completed home games prior.

The Hurricanes are on the hunt for their 200th win in Super Rugby competitions; only the Crusaders (263) and Brumbies (208) have previously reached the mark.

* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!

* Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!

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Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Josh Ioane, 14 Freedom Vahaakolo, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Patelesio Tomkinson, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith (co-captain), 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Pari Pari Parkinson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Kazuki Himeno, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 23 Connor Garden-Bachop.

Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Orbyn Leger, 9 Luke Campbell, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Xavier Numia.

Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Liam Mitchell, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23 Ruben Love.

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Mike Fraser

TMO: Chris Hart