The return of captain and hooker Dane Coles has given the Hurricanes a boost ahead of their first home match of the Investec Super Rugby season at Central Energy Trust Stadium in Palmerston North.

But more than that, coach Chris Boyd’s side head into round four of their Investec Super Rugby season with a sense of self belief after a gritty 23-19 win over the Blues at Eden Park last week.

Boyd is under no illusions that tonight’s battle with the Western Force will be just as hard-fought, but with his captain’s timely return will also be confident his side are heading in the right direction after two first up losses to the Brumbies and Highlanders.

The Force aren’t known for expansive rugby, but they have a long-standing reputation for being a tough nut to crack and come into the match with the same record as the home side after one win, over the Reds, and two losses, to the Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies.

The Hurricanes will be without local hero Nehe Milner-Skudder, but with Julian Savea and Cory Jane on the wings are sure to back themselves out wide.

And with the speed and athleticism of loose forwards Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita and Victor Vito, and try scoring halfback TJ Perenara in support, they have the link men to stretch defences.

In their way is a rugged Force tight five and an all-action loose forward pairing of Matt Hodgson and No. 8 Ben McCalman.

And the Force have attacking weapons of their own with a dynamic midfield of Junior Rasolea and Ben Tapuai inside wing/fullback Dane Howlett-Petty, a player who leads the competition after three rounds in run metres, with 110.7, and is fourth in both tackle busts (12) and Carries (37). 

Head to head

Chris Eves v Tetera Faulkner

Chris Eves is best known for his damaging impact as a ball runner off the bench, but will be asked to nail his core role against the Force. He’s up against Wallaby tighthead prop Faulkner, a bloke desperate to make up ground after missing the first three rounds with a knee injury. Blunting the Force’s strong set piece and providing quality ball to the backs will be key to the Hurricanes cause.

Key Points

The Hurricanes have been hit by injuries, but a week after their gutsy win over the Blues at Eden Park have a new sense of depth and character. With captain Dane Coles playing his first match since the Rugby World Cup final last year, he’ll need deputies like TJ Perenara and Victor Vito to once again stand tall and lead from the front.

What to expect

A rugged, no holds barred battle at the breakdown. The Force have three of the best in the business in the loose forwards, while the Hurricanes have two brilliant breakdown specialists in starting openside Ardie Savea and his back up, Manawatu local Callum Gibbins. Whoever wins the breakdown battle will control the tempo and flow of this match.

Stat Attack

The Hurricanes have won their last seven matches against the Force with their only loss being an 18-17 nail-biter in Perth in 2007. Beauden Barrett (32) has made more kicks in general play than any other player in Super Rugby so far this season. Force flanker Matt Hodgson (51) is the first and only player so far this season to make more than 50 tackles and he’s only missed three. Last time the two teams met in Palmerston North in 2011, the Hurricanes won 34-28.