Hurricanes

Hurricanes v Waratahs preview

Conrad Smith returns to the Hurricanes team for Friday’s key final round Rebel Sport Super 14 clash with the Waratahs at SFS Stadium in Sydney, kick-off 9.40pm (NZT).

Smith, who missed last week’s round 13 victory over the Reds in Wellington after sustaining a head knock in the previous week’s win over the Chiefs, returns to centre to partner Ma’a Nonu in the midfield.

His return is one of two changes in a settled Hurricanes line-up to face the Waratahs in this virtual quarter final clash that will see the winner reach the semi-finals the following week.

In one other change to the starting XV, John Schwalger swaps places with Jacob Ellison off the bench at loosehead prop.

In one of the closest ever finishes to a Super Rugby season, the Hurricanes are one of six teams chasing the final three spots still available for next week’s semi-finals along with the Waratahs, Stormers, Brumbies, Crusaders and Reds.

The Bulls, on 47 points, have already confirmed their place as top qualifier. They are followed by the Stormers (39 points), Waratahs (38), Brumbies and Hurricanes (37 each), Crusaders (36) and Reds (34).

Adding to the final-round drama this weekend will be three games involving two of these top six teams with the Stormers hosting the Bulls and the Crusaders hosting the Brumbies as well as the Hurricanes – Waratahs clash. The Reds host the Highlanders.

For the Hurricanes, a win, with or without a bonus point, would see them reach the semi-finals for the sixth time in the past eight seasons. A bonus point win could also propel them to a home semi-final at Westpac Stadium if other results fall their way.

The Waratahs are coming off a 49-16 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton last week after losing to the Highlanders the week before in driving rain in Invercargill. The Waratahs have won eight from 12 matches so far and are unbeaten in five matches at home this year, having defeated the Sharks, Lions, Blues, Cheetahs and Brumbies in Sydney.

The Hurricanes and the Waratahs go into this match with similar season records. The third placed Waratahs have scored 353 points including 41 tries and let in 272 including 30 tries. The fifth placed Hurricanes have scored 342 points including 39 tries and conceded 291 points with 33 tries against. The Waratahs and Hurricanes have both scored four tries or more in a match five times this year.

Both teams are packed with experience and firepower, with many key head to head clashes expected right across the park.

This last round match between the Hurricanes and Waratahs will be the 16th Super Rugby clash between the two sides since 1996, with the Hurricanes in front 8-7 on their head-to-head ledger.

The Waratahs have won their last three matches – 26-22 in Wellington last year, 20-3 in Sydney in 2008 and 14-38 in Wellington in 2007. The Hurricanes have never lost four matches in a row to an Australian side.

In last year’s first round encounter the Hurricanes were left lamenting a slow start that saw that Waratahs jump to a 19-0 lead after half an hour, while their defeat the last time they were Sydney was their lowest score against any Super Rugby team since losing 11-0 to the Reds in 1999.

Hurricanes – Waratahs matches have usually gone the way of the home team. Friday’s clash will be the eighth between the sides in Sydney, with the Hurricanes having previously won two of seven games played against the Waratahs away. The Hurricanes’ two wins there were in 2000 and 2006.

Like this one, both these wins were in big matches for the Hurricanes. The last round 19-14 win in 2006 clinched a historic home semi-final for the Hurricanes – against the Waratahs which they won 16-14.

2000's 27-20 win in Sydney saw the Hurricanes held on with 14 players after Jonah Lomu had been sent off for a dangerous tackle and keep their semi-final chances alive with two rounds remaining in South Africa They lost both of these against the Stormers and then lowly Bulls and fell to eighth.

The Hurricanes have won their last four matches in Australia: 33-15 v Brumbies at Canberra in 2008, 28-27 v Force at Perth in 2009, 37-28 v Reds at Brisbane in 2009 and 23-13 v Brumbies at Canberra in 2010.

The Hurricanes have won their last six Super Rugby matches against Australian sides: 28-27 v Force at Perth in 2009, 56-7 v Brumbies at Wellington in 2009, 37-28 v Reds at Brisbane in 2009, 47-22 v Force at Wellington in 2010, 23-13 v Brumbies at Canberra in 2010 and 44-21 v Reds at Wellington in 2010.

The Hurricanes have scored their points in all matches against the Waratahs as follows: 41T 26C 29P 0DG - points 344. The Waratahs have scored their points in all matches against the Hurricanes as follows: 46T 30C 24P 1DG - points 365.

Australian sides have between them scored 149 tries in all matches against the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes have kicked 396 penalties in all Super Rugby matches.

The Hurricanes have won their last four matches this year but have never won their final five round robin matches in succession.

The Hurricanes highest score in a match in Sydney is 32 (lost 32-36) in 1998.The Waratahs highest score against the Hurricanes in a match in Sydney is 52 (won 52-25) in 1996.

The Hurricanes lowest score in a match in Sydney is 3 (lost 3-20) in 2008. The Waratahs lowest score against the Hurricanes in a match in Sydney is 14 (lost 14-19) in 2006.

The Hurricanes record for most tries in a match against the Waratahs is six at Wellington in 2003.

The Waratahs record for most tries in a match against the Hurricanes is seven at Sydney in 1996 and also at Sydney in 2004.

The individual record for most tries in a match by a Hurricanes player against the Waratahs is two: by Jason Spice at Sydney in 2000, Daryl Lilley at New Plymouth in 2001 and Lome Fa’atau at Wellington in 2003.

The individual record for most tries in a match by a Waratahs player against the Hurricanes is three by Alistair Murdoch at Sydney in 1996.

The Hurricanes individual record for most tries in all matches against the Waratahs is four: by Christian Cullen and Lome Fa’atau.

The Waratahs individual record for most tries in all matches against the Hurricanes is four: by Lote Tuqiri and Lachlan Turner.

Ma’a Nonu and David Smith are the top try scorers for the Hurricanes in 2010 with six tries each. Drew Mitchell and Lachlan Turner are the top try scorers for the Waratahs in 2010 with seven and six tries respectively.

The Hurricanes record for most penalties in a match against the Waratahs is six at Sydney in 1998 and at New Plymouth in 2001. The Waratahs record for most penalties in a match against the Hurricanes is four at Sydney in 1998 and at Wellington in 2007.

The individual record for most penalties in a match by a Hurricanes player against the Waratahs is six by Jon Preston at Sydney in 1998. The individual record for most penalties in a match by a Waratahs player against the Hurricanes is four by Matthew Burke at Sydney in 1998 and Peter Hewat at Wellington in 2007.

The most points in a match by a Hurricanes player against the Waratahs is 22 (C2 P6) by Jon Preston at Sydney in 1998. The most points in a match by a Waratahs player against the Hurricanes is 22 (T1 C4 P3) by Matthew Burke at Sydney in 1996/

The most points by a Hurricanes player in all matches against the Waratahs is 63 (C12 P13) by David Holwell. The most points by a Waratahs player in all matches against the Hurricanes is 97 (T3 C17 P16) by Matthew Burke.

Piri Weepu and Willie Ripia are the top points scorers for the Hurricanes in 2010 with 64 and 57 points respectively. Berrick Barnes and Daniel Halangahu are the top points scorers for the Waratahs in 2010 with 85 and 81 points respectively.

Willie Ripia and Jeremy Thrush made their Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes against the Waratahs at Sydney in 2008.Dane Coles, Bryn Evans, Jason Kawau and Karl Lowe all made their Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes against the Waratahs at Wellington in 2009. Coles scored a try.

The Hurricanes team is:

1. John Schwalger

2. Andrew Hore (captain)

3. Neemia Tialata

4. Bryn Evans

5. Jeremy Thrush

6. Michael Paterson

7. Karl Lowe

8. Rodney So’oialo

9. Piri Weepu

10. Aaron Cruden

11. Hosea Gear

12. Ma’a Nonu

13. Conrad Smith

14. Tamati Ellison

15. Cory Jane

Reserves

16. Dane Coles

17. Jacob Ellison

18. Nick Crosswell

19. Scott Waldrom

20. Tyson Keats

21. Jason Kawau/Willie Ripia

22. David Smith