Hurricanes v Chiefs – who’s got the edge?

The Chiefs will head to Wellington on Friday, 17 May 2013, to take on the Hurricanes, and both teams will be looking to get the jump in the local derby.

The Chiefs are entering Westpac Stadium with a few change from the team that slipped past a spirited Western Force team last week.

Pauliasi Manu will start at loosehead prop, while Tanerau Latimer takes over the number 7 jersey from Sam Cane, who is out with a back strain.

Charlie Ngatai steps in for Tim Nanai-Williams and joins Bundee Aki in the midfield.

As for the Hurricanes, the team remains the same as the one that overcame the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week.

This means that All Black playmakers Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden will go head-to-head, while scrumhalves Perenara and Kerr-Barlow, who are both in the All Black training squad, will also face off against one another.

As with any New Zealand derby, the loose trios will be fighting for ball possession with extra emphasis this weekend as either team has the ability to score long-range tries, and no inch can be given to either side.

Rugby Informer’s take: The Chiefs have been playing some fantastic and consistant rugby, however, the Hurricanes are hitting a good stride and will be difficult to topple at home. Hurricanes by 5.

The match will kick off at 09:35 on Friday, 17 May 2013.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito (captain), 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Reggie Goodes, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 James Marshall.

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Dan Waenga, 22 Save Tokula.