Saturday, June 27

Hurricanes v Brumbies, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Head-to-head: Played 20, Hurricanes 8, Brumbies 12

In Wellington: Played 9, Hurricanes 4, Brumbies 5

Last Clash: Round 4, 2014 - Hurricanes 21-29 Brumbies, Wellington

Key Stats

• The Hurricanes have lost five of six Super Rugby Semi-Finals, with four of those defeats coming by margins greater than 10 points. In contrast, the Brumbies have won six of eight appearances at this stage.
• The Hurricanes boast the best scrum in terms of ball retention (95%) this season, while the Brumbies' figure is the second worst (82%).
• The Hurricanes lead the way for final quarter tries this season with 18 after the hour mark. That is twice as many as the Brumbies who have scored the joint-second fewest in the same timeframe.

Line-ups

• Hurricanes: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Replacements: Brayden Mitchell, Chris Eves, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor.
• Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Lausii Taliauli, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Christian Leali'ifano, Nic White; Ita Vaea, David Pocock, Scott Fardy; Blake Enever, Rory Arnold; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, Nigel Ah Wong, Robbie Coleman.

Injuries/Unavailable

• Hurricanes: Jason Woodward (Broken Ankle, Season) Cory Jane (hamstring, TBA)
• Brumbies: Sam Carter (Medial, Season), Henry Speight (Suspended)

Team News

• Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made four changes to the side that defeated the Chiefs a fortnight ago, the biggest of which sees playmaker Beauden Barrett return at No.10. Ma'a Nonu is also back in the backline at No.12 while James Broadhurst and Ardie Savea return to the pack after rests in Round 18. Barrett's return at No.10 sees Matt Proctor move to full-back with Nehe Milner-Skudder shifting to the wing.
• The Brumbies have made just one forced change to the run-on XV that dismantled the Stormers with rookie Lausii Taliauli replacing the suspended Henry Speight on the right wing. Coach Stephen Larkham opted for Taliauli's size over the diminutive Robbie Coleman due to the threat of imposing Hurricanes winger Julian Savea.

Greg Growden's Verdict: It was pleasing to see the Brumbies change their tactics, and at last gave their backline a chance. It worked against the Stormers, enabling them to hang in for another week. Hopefully they stick to the same tactics against the Hurricanes, and it is the best way to overcome this standout Super Rugby province. However the travel factor of going to and from South Africa, and then off to New Zealand, will work against them.

Tips - Greg Growden: Hurricanes by 7 Sam Bruce: Hurricanes Brett McKay: Brumbies Brittany Mitchell: Hurricanes

Beauden Barrett returns to spearhead the Hurricanes' backline against the Brumbies © Getty Images

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Waratahs v Highlanders, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Head-to-head: Played 19, Waratahs 13, Highlanders 6

In Sydney: Played 9, Waratahs 7, Highlanders 2

Last Clash:Round 5, 2015 - Highlanders 26-19 Waratahs, Dunedin

Key Stats

• Israel Folau (1606) and Waisake Naholo (1310) have gained more metres than any other player this year. Bernard Foley (175) and Lima Sopoaga (173) are the top point-scorers this season, however they have kicked goals at 69% and 71% success rates respectively.
• The Waratahs have an even record of three wins and three losses in Semi-Finals. They have averaged just 18 points and have never scored more than 28. The Highlanders have won one of four matches at this stage of the season but have not featured in the Semi-Finals since 2002.
• Only the Sharks (26.1) have averaged more kicks from hand than the Highlanders (24.8) this season. The Waratahs have produced the fewest, an average of 15.6. The Highlanders have also been the recipients of the fewest kicks from hand, an average of 18.4.

Line-ups

• Waratahs: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Carraro, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, Dave Dennis, Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Mitchell Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Peter Betham.
• Highlanders: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith; Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes; Alex Ainley, Mark Reddish, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Brendon Edmonds. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Wheeler, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, Shaun Treeby.

Kurtley Beale (L) will have to watch on from the sidelines in Sydney © Getty Images

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Injuries/Unavailable

• Waratahs: Kurtley Beale (Quadriceps, TBC)
• Highlanders: Shane Christie (Hamstring, Indefinite), Kane Hames (Knee, Indefinite), John Hardie (Rib, Indefinite), Dan Pryor (Dislocated Elbow, Indefinite).

Team News

• The Waratahs have again looked to veteran Matt Carraro after Kurtley Beale failed to recover from a quadriceps injury. Carraro will reprise the role he filled against the Reds a fortnight ago while Rob Horne returns on the wing after missing that match through injury.
• The Highlanders have made just the one injury-enforced change to the side that defeated the Chiefs with James Lentjes coming in for Dan Pryor at No.7. There is also a spot on the bench for cult hero Joe Wheeler, the lock finally fit after a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Greg Growden's Verdict: The Highlanders are so many people's favourite second team, as they play rugby in the right spirit. The Highlanders-Chiefs final last weekend was top shelf. The Waratahs should be duly worried, because if the Highlanders play at similar pace and intensity, a finals spot beckons. But the Waratahs big names, in particular Israel Folau, are starting to fire and that should provide them with an edge - even if only slight.

Tips - Greg Growden: Waratahs by 1 Sam Bruce: Waratahs Brett McKay: Highlanders Brittany Mitchell: Waratahs