Super Rugby 2013: Highlanders v Hurricanes preview

The Hurricanes travel to Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday to take on the Highlanders for Round 5 of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament. 

The Hurricanes will be on a high coming off from the win over the Crusaders last week, while the Highlanders will be desperate for their first win, following losses to the Chiefs and Cheetahs.

The Hurricanes have made a few changes, that sees Andre Taylor move to the bench to make way for James Marshall, who gets the starting nod at fullback.

The Highlanders have made five changes to the team that was defeated by the Cheetahs in Round 4.

Jarrad Hoeata comes back into the starting pack and he is joined by Elliot Dixon at number eight.

In the flyhalf position, Colin Slade gets the nod of Lima Sopoaga, who has been given mixed performances throughout the season so far.

Jason Emery will make his Highlanders debut at centre, while loose forward TJ Ioane is brought onto the bench.

An interesting match-up will be between Julian Savea and Kade Poki. Savea has the bulldozing power to reach any tryline, while Poki has the quick feet and step to evade any would-be tacklers. Keep your eyes open for the battle that will commence between these two polarising wingers.

Rugby Informers prediction: The Highlanders are going to be desperate for a win, and the Hurricanes will be packed full of confidence following last week’s win. The young Highlanders side will struggle against the Hurricanes, who have clearly found their rhythm. Hurricanes by 10.

The match will kick off at 08:35 (SA time) on Friday, 15 March 2013.

Highlanders team:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Ma’afu Fia, 18 Jake Paringatai, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Buxton Popoalii.

Hurricanes team:

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