Welcome back, bro, but only a little bit

Five weeks ago, before a 43,000 Eden Park sellout, Dane Coles steamrolled over Beauden Barrett on his Blues debut then gave his mate a playful shove for good measure.

It was great theatre but missing a crucial character, as the revitalised Blues began their impressive run through Super Rugby Aotearoa and the Hurricanes spluttered into gear.

Now, before probably half that number at Wellington’s Sky Stadium tonight, the angular figure of Jordie Barrett will eyeball his older brother in blue, and try to do what Coles and his team-mates couldn’t on June 14.

For Barrett the younger it’s the chance to confirm his rapidly growing on-field influence, and for the Hurricanes to finally roar into gear after successive wins, neither of them in the dominant fashion they’re capable of.

‘‘He’s a pretty calm person and doesn’t give too much away. I just asked him ‘are you going to catch up with your brother tonight [Friday]’ and he said ‘yeah I might’ . . . he’s pretty cruisy,’’ Coles said of his fullback, who missed Eden Park with a dislocated shoulder.

‘‘He’s done it before with Scooter [another All Blacks brother Scott Barrett of the Crusaders]; this one is obviously a little bit different but he’ll just go out and play his game.

‘‘Since he’s come back he’s been a massive part of us getting those couple of wins, so he’ll deal with it, he’s an experienced player and I’m sure if they get a chance to run at each other they’ll do it like they did on the Taranaki farm as young fellas.’’

The gifted sibling fullback battle with potential All Blacks selection ramifications is a hugely intriguing part of this rematch between the second-placed Blues – 3-1 and coming off a loss to champions-in-waiting the Crusaders – and the Hurricanes with a 2-2 record.

Beauden has been a calming presence but hardly stamped his mark on attack for his new side; Jordie has been a key man with his massive boot and timely incisions, but also displayed touches of rust.

Second spot on the ladder beckons for the winners, with the Crusaders already six points clear and enjoying the bye at the halfway point.

Despite dual losses to the Blues either side of Covid-19 lockdown, the Hurricanes get the favourites’ tag at home on a forecast chilly but dry night with less of a pesky breeze than for last Sunday’s 17-11 win over the Highlanders.

With Coles back at hooker and the influential Reed Prinsep back at No 6 – both rested with niggles last weekend – the Hurricanes are near enough to full strength. Asafo Aumua, one of their best last Sunday, will rampage off the bench.

What: Where, when: Hurricanes:

on the battle between Beauden Barrett, left, and younger brother Jordie, right

Super Rugby Aotearoa, Hurricanes v Blues

Sky Stadium, Wellington, 7.05pm tonight

Jordie Barrett, Kobus van Wyk, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara (captain), Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Ben May. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Jamie Booth, Billy Proctor, Wes Goosen.

Beauden Barrett, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Mark Telea, Otere Black, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Aaron Carroll, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Tolai Luteru, Marcel Renata, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tony Lamborn, Jonathan Ruru, TJ Faiane, Matt Duffie.

The Blues, meanwhile, were bruised by that memorable contest in Christchurch. Standout No 8 Hoskins Sotutu and hooker James Parsons are out; wing Caleb Clarke is absent for his grandfather’s tangi and star recruit Dan Carter (calf) was a late scratching from the bench.

‘‘There’s a bit of edge this week,’’ said Hurricanes forwards coach Chris Gibbes. ‘‘It should be a hell of a spectacle.’’

A feature of the Blues’ victories was their tough pack and near watertight defence, led by lock Patrick Tuipulotu who’s been immense. They started impressively in Christchurch before being hit by the inevitable red and black wave in the final quarter.

The Hurricanes have been good up front, too, their set piece excellent against the Highlanders providing plenty of ball for their backline which has the extra bulk of Peter Umaga-Jensen added at centre against All Black Rieko Ioane.

There are no playoffs in this 10-week competition but the Hurricanes are well into knockout mode, said coach Jason Holland.

‘‘We pretty much have for the last two weeks. It’s a good challenge to have, that added incentive against dropping too far away from the top of the table.

‘‘We had a slow start but we’ve ticked a few things off now and we want to give our best performance to push forward.’’

And, maybe, with a younger Barrett taking bragging rights over big bro in their first top-level clash.

Blues:

‘‘I’m sure if they get a chance to run at each other they’ll do it like they did on the Taranaki farm as young fellas.’’

Dane Coles