HOW THEY LINE UP
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-allen, Dane Coles, Ben May. Reserves; Motu Matu’u, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Eaton, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Charlie Ngatai. Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Tamati Ellison, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, John Hardie, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Josh Bekhuis, Ma’afu Fia, Andrew Hore, Jamie Mackintosh (c). Reserves; Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray, Culum Retallick, James Haskell, Aaron Smith, Chris Noakes, Buxton Popoali’i. Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington Sky Sport 1: 7.35pm, tonight Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ) TAB odds: Hurricanes $2, Highlanders $1.75 and lock Nick Crosswell will attack the breakdown and hooker Andrew Hore will plough through the middle of rucks as he has all season.
And although they have rarely kicked from hand a lot this season the Highlanders are likely to send some high ball the way of left wing Julian Savea and continue to do so should he make an early error.
But if the visitors are orthodox, the home team are something of a southpaw.
Hammett’s trump card could be that nobody really has an accurate fix on his young side.
They have played three hectic matches, each devoid of any real scrap at the breakdown, yet have a pack that looks more mobile then most.
They were diabolical against the Stormers, but nearly won with 13 men, they outran the Lions despite a porous chase line and they thrashed the Force on 38 per cent possession.
Where Hardie, Manu and Adam Thomson have dipped thrice into the well, Jack Lam, Victor Vito and Faifili Levave are physically fresh, champing at the bit for a proper scrap.
The Hurricanes have enjoyed just 44 per cent possession this season, but have kicked from hand more frequently than nearly every side in the competition.
They may be happy to give the Highlanders the ball and back their defence to chase turnovers at the right end of the park.
Whatever happens, it promises to be a closer match than many would have predicted after the opening week.
In 17 matches against each other the average score has been 23-22 to the Hurricanes and any favouritism to the visitors will be lukewarm for the 18th edition.