S18 PREVIEW: ROUND THREE, PART ONE
Will the Hurricanes end their losing streak?
After finishing top of the standings last year, the men from Wellington lost to the Highlanders in the Final and have lost both their matches his season.
They came close to edging the Highlanders in a replay of the Final last week, but something still seems amiss.
And there is another unwanted omen in that the Blues - who themselves are looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance last week - streaked away with six tries to smash the Canes 40-12 in their pre-season match.
The second match on Friday has the table-topping Brumbies against the Western Force, an all Australian derby that could be a one-sided affair.
The Force beat the Reds last week in a dour derby, a result which cost Reds coach Richard Graham his job.
You get the sense the Force's win - a resulted bloated by a late try against a very desponded opposition - had more to do with how bad the Reds were than anything constructive by the Force.
And the Brumbies would certainly fancy their chances in this game.
We look at the Friday, March 11, matches below!
(Eden Park, Auckland - Kick-off: 19.35; 06.35 GMT)
Blues coach Tana Umaga has reacted in the most dramatic fashion to his team's loss last week, as he wrung the changes.
However, it is Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd who is feeling the pressure.
"None [wins] from three [starts] is not terminal, but you start putting yourself in a tough position," Boyd told NZ Newswire.
And the Blues are not far from being in the same boat.
And opening round win over the Highlanders was followed by last week's disappointing showing against the Crusaders.
It is up front where Umaga is looking for an improved performance from his pack.
"At stages we will be put under pressure and it's how we deal with the pressure on the field," Umaga told the NZ Herald.
"It's great to be able to look at that after the game, but it's about how we make the shifts on the field [which is important].
"We've been working hard at that."
However, they have been off the pace and need to get in a position where they command the respect of the opposition.
"We talked about it last year and also this year," Goodes told the Dominion Post, adding: "Consistency is key for us and every game we need to perform at our peak as a pack and work as an eight.
"We're striving for that this year; the first game it wasn't quite there but it's on the right path," said Goodes.
Recent results:
2015: Hurricanes won 29-5, Auckland
2015: Hurricanes won 30-23, Palmerston North
2014: Blues won 37-24, Auckland
2014: Hurricanes won 39-20, Wellington
2013: Blues won 28-6, Auckland
2013: Blues won 34-20, Wellington
Prediction: The spoils are spilt at five wins apiece in the last 10 clashes between these teams, though the Hurricanes have found victory in their last two. The Hurricanes have stolen victory in five of their last nine visits to the Blues' home territory. Despite scoring 33 points in their Round One win against the Highlanders the Blues still average just 14 points scored across their last four games at home. Since the Blues' last win over the Hurricanes (Round 16, 2014) they've won only one of their 12 matches against New Zealand opponents. The Hurricanes are enduring their longest losing streak (three games) since they were defeated eight times in a row across the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Blues, in both pre-season and in the opening round, showed glimpses of Tana Umaga turning the team around. They are the most likely to bounce back, but the winning margin will be in single digits.
Teams:
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Male Sa'u, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Steven Luatua, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Melani Nanai.
Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 TBC, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles/Leni Apisai, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Apisai/Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 TBC.
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Brett Johnson (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
The Brumbies head to Perth this week for the start of a three-week road trip - which will also see them play the Stormers in Cape Town and the Cheetahs Bloemfontein.
Brumbies utility Nigel Ah Wong warned of the threat posed by a Western Force side that is coming off a confidence-boosting win against the Reds.
"We're expecting a tough challenge," Ah Wong said in an interview on the Brumbies' website.
"They're going to be tough at home.
"Obviously they've got a new game plan as well this season and we're going to do our best to defend that and hopefully get the win."
Force coach Michael Foley said his side is looking to carry the momentum from last weekend into Friday's showdown with the team from the nation's capital.
"We were pleased with the result last weekend," Foley said.
"And we're looking to continue to improve the speed of our game.
"Irrespective of our travel schedule, skill work remains a priority.
We believe this will ultimately lead to us converting more of the opportunities we're creating."
Recent results:
2015: Brumbies won 33-20, Perth
2015: Brumbies won 27-15, Canberra
2014: Brumbies won 47-25, Canberra
2014: Brumbies won 47-14, Perth
2013: Force won 21-15, Perth
2013: Brumbies won 41-7, Canberra
Prediction: The Brumbies have won seven of their last eight matches against the Force - including a current winning streak of four matches, the longest in the history of this fixture. The Brumbies have conceded just 20 first half points in their last four matches against the Force, scoring 85 themselves in this run. The Force have won two of their last three matches and will now be hunting for consecutive wins for the first time since Round 13, 2014. After the opening two rounds the Western Force are one of only two teams (Stormers) yet to miss a place kick at goal (both 11 from 11). Brumbies flanker Scott Fardy has won five turnovers so far this season, the equal second most of any player and the most of any player who is yet to concede a turnover. It is tough to see the Force beating the Brumbies, who we feel will win by 20 points or more.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Solomoni Rasolea, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Sitiveni Mafi, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Peter Grant, 23 Marcel Brache.
Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (co-captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Joss Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia), Michael Hogan (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
Compiled by Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
* Statistical information provided by Opta Sports