The Hurricanes wrap up their Investec Super Rugby season with a blockbuster New Zealand Conference derby match against the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
With the Crusaders undefeated in 2017, the Hurricanes face a huge test heading into the Super Rugby playoffs in what could be their final home match of the year.
When the two teams met in round 12 in Christchurch earlier this year, the final score saw the Crusaders come out on top 20-12, but the Hurricanes have got everything to play for this week as the quarter finals approach.
A win would likely see the Hurricanes head to Canberra to play the Brumbies, while a loss would probably see them head to South Africa to play the Stormers in Cape Town.
See some key stats below on the Hurricanes and Crusaders so far this year…
30 The number of times the Hurricanes have met the Crusaders in Super Rugby since 1996. The Hurricanes have won 10 times, the Crusaders 18, and two matches have been drawn.
85 The number of tries the Hurricanes have scored so far in 2017, a Super Rugby record.
7 The most tries scored by a Hurricanes player in all matches against the Crusaders, by Christian Cullen. Next on the list is Ma’a Nonu who scored four tries. Of the current squad Julian Savea and Blade Thomson have both scored three.
CAPTION: Christian Cullen charges towards Crusaders full back Aaron Mauger during their Super12 clash in 2008 PHOTO: Getty Sport
613 The number of points the Hurricanes have aggregated in all matches against the Crusaders made up of 66 tries, 53 conversions, 58 penalties, and one drop goal.
80 The most points scored by a Hurricanes player in all matches against the Crusaders (two tries, 17 conversions and 12 penalties) by Beauden Barrett. Next on the list is David Holwell with 63 points (15 conversions and 11 penalties).
11 The number of times the Hurricanes have scored four tries or better in their 14 matches played this season. This is a new record for the franchise beating the previous record of 10 set in 2015 and 2016.
14 The two top try scorers for the Hurricanes in 2017 are Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape with 14 tries apiece and who both share the new franchise record for most tries scored by an individual in a season. Tana Umaga’s old record of 12 had stood since 1997. The Super Rugby record for most individual tries scored in a season is 15 and is jointly held by Joe Roff (for the Brumbies in 1997) and Rico Gear (for the Crusaders in 2005). With one match left in the Round Robin, Aso and Laumape both have a real chance of equaling the old or setting a new record.
90 The number of points Jordie Barrett has scored in 2017, making him the top point scorer for the Hurricanes (five tries, 25 conversions and five penalties). If Jordie brings up 100 points for the season he will become just the sixth Hurricanes player to achieve the milestone.
CAPTION: Jordie Barrett dives over the line during the Hurricanes round 11 match against the Stormers PHOTO: Getty Sport
55 The Hurricanes winning percentage in all Super Rugby matches, having played 295 they have won 163, lost 127, and drawn five.
68 The Crusaders winning percentage in all Super Rugby matches, having played 314 they have won 214, lost 94, and drawn six.
Hurricanes v Crusaders previous results:
Year | Venue | Won by | Score |
|
|
|
|
1996 | New Plymouth | Crusaders | 36-13 |
1997 | Christchurch | Crusaders | 19-17 |
1998 | Napier | Crusaders | 39-17 |
1999 | Christchurch | Drawn | 18-18 |
2000 | Wellington | Hurricanes | 28-22 |
2001 | Christchurch | Hurricanes | 41-29 |
2002 | Wellington | Crusaders | 48-20 |
2003 | Christchurch | Crusaders | 37-21 |
| Christchurch (SF) | Crusaders | 39-16 |
2004 | Wellington | Hurricanes | 37-20 |
2005 | Christchurch | Crusaders | 40-20 |
| Christchurch (SF) | Crusaders | 47-7 |
2006 | Wellington | Crusaders | 20-11 |
| Christchurch (F) | Crusaders | 19-12 |
2007 | Christchurch | Crusaders | 23-13 |
2008 | Wellington | Crusaders | 20-13 |
| Christchurch (SF) | Crusaders | 33-22 |
2009 | Christchurch | Hurricanes | 30-24 |
2010 | Wellington | Drawn | 26-26 |
2011 | Wellington | Crusaders | 16-9 |
2012 | Wellington | Crusaders | 42-14 |
| Christchurch | Hurricanes | 23-22 |
2013 | Wellington | Hurricanes | 29-28 |
| Christchurch | Crusaders | 25-17 |
2014 | Christchurch | Hurricanes | 29-26 |
| Wellington | Hurricanes | 16-9 |
2015 | Wellington | Hurricanes | 29-23 |
| Nelson | Crusaders | 35-18 |
2016 | Christchurch | Hurricanes | 35-10 |
2017 | Christchurch | Crusaders | 20-12 |