TALE OF THE TAPE
Matches between these two great rivals are generally close-run battles - and don't expect this clash to be any different. In 14 of the last 15 matches between these two sides, the winner has won by 7 points or less. The only exception being the Hurricanes 56-20 regular season win last year.
FINAL REMATCH
With the Super Rugby title up for grabs the last time these two teams met, the Highlanders edged the Hurricanes in a thrilling final at Westpac Stadium. The Hurricanes are missing Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Ben Franks and Jeremy Thrush from their 2015 roster, but have added some exciting new talent with Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso in the midfield, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen stepping up at tight head prop, and Blade Thomson adding athleticism in the second row. Both sides have had injuries in the build up with Hurricanes captain Dane Coles out with a calf injury and fullback Nehe Milner Skudder with a bruised leg. The Highlanders have most of their 2015 squad intact, but are without wing Waisake Naholo and halfback Fumiaki Tanaka, who were injured in week one.
9-10 BATTLE
Two dynamic halfback-first-five combinations are set to square off in Dunedin. The talented duo of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett go head to head with the Highlanders pairing of Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga. Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd will be looking to his halves to add the direction missing last week in Canberra and put their side in the right part of the field to mount pressure. Both halves pairings are renowned for their speed and attacking prowess, but the winner of this battle will come down to whoever gets the cleaner ball from their forward pack.
KICKING IS KEY
Everyone knows the Highlanders like to kick high out of their half and chase. Ben Smith's a master when it comes to fetching and Patrick Osborne's not bad either with his long arms and legs. The Hurricanes will have to diffuse those bombs and make good decisions on the counter attack.
MEET THE MIDFIELDS
For the Hurricanes Laumape and Aso played in a full Super Rugby match for the first time in Canberra and it was a tough introduction, but they've worked hard all week and are an exciting pairing for the future. The Hurricanes will be hoping Laumape's hard running and Aso's silky skills and pace can develop into an intuitive combination similar to their famous predecessors as the season progresses. They're up against another new pairing in rookie Teihorangi Walden and All Black Malakai Fekitoa. Winning the gain line in the middle of the park will be crucial and there should be plenty of fire works from this quartet.
FORGET THE FLASH HARRYS
The Hurricanes forwards were honest to a fault in the wake of their loss to the Brumbies and have put it on themselves to right the wrongs on Canberra. Scrum coach Dan Cron's made sure there's been a week of hard work and no stone unturned to make sure the backline get solid set piece ball in Dunedin. Hurricanes tight head Toomaga-Allen is the only All Black in either tight five, so the opportunity is there for someone to take this match by the scruff of the neck. One player making an early mark in preseason and the opening round is Hurricanes hooker Leni Apisai, a perfect example of a young man taking an unexpected opportunity for game time with both hands.
TEAMS
HURRICANES: 15 James Marshall14: Cory Jane 13: Vince Aso 12: Ngani Laumape 11: Julian Savea 10: Beauden Barrett 9: TJ Perenara (c) 8: Victor Vito 7: Ardie Savea 6: Brad Shields 5: Mark Abbott 4: Blade Thomson 3: Jeff Toomaga-Allen 2: Leni Apisai 1: Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Loni Uhila, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jason Woodward, Willis Halaholo.
HIGHLANDERS: 15: Ben Smith (co-cap) 14: Matt Faddes 13: Malakai Fekitoa 12: Teihorangi Walden 11: Patrick Osborne 10: Lima Sopoaga 9: Aaron Smith 8: Luke Whitelock 7: Shane Christie (co-cap) 6: Elliott Dixon 5: Joe Wheeler 4: Tom Franklin 3: Josh Hohneck 2: Liam Coltman 1: Brendon Edmonds. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Liam Squire, Dan Pryor, Josh Renton, Hayden Parker, Jason Emery