Motivation will not be in short supply for the Hurricanes when they meet the Blues at Westpac Stadium.

Not only will the side be desperate to mark captain Brad Shields’ 100 Super Rugby match for the club in the appropriate way, the side are now in a real fight to secure a home quarterfinal as the regular season quickly moves to an end.

Three successive defeats to the Crusaders, Highlanders and Brumbies has seen the Hurricanes just four points ahead of the Chiefs on the New Zealand Conference table and in real need of victory at Westpac Stadium – a venue they are yet to be beaten at in 2018.

There is no doubt the nature of the loss to the Brumbies was hard to take for the management team who watched on as the Hurricanes let a 12-5 halftime lead slip as they eventually went on to lose 24-12.

The second 40 minutes prompted Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd to describe the half as the worst that had been delivered during his time in charge.

It was not surprising, then, to see him make a number of changes to the starting XV to face the Blues.

The return of All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Vaea Fifita was certainly positive news while Boyd has tinkered with the backline while introducing Wes Goosen to the run-on side at centre.

One of the biggest problems the Hurricanes have had in the last three matches has been their inability to score points – something no usually associated with the side and one that was not a problem through the 10 match winning streak they enjoyed in 2018.

One of those victories came against the Blues at Eden Park on May 11 when the Hurricanes came out 36-15 victors after tries to Ricky Riccitelli, Gareth Evans, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Lousi and Matt Proctor.

The Hurricanes would certainly settle for a similar score line in the rematch which would not only stretch their winning sequence against the Blues to seven but it would also mean they can travel to Hamilton next week to meet the Chiefs knowing they have a home quarterfinal spot in their own hands.

It will not be straightforward, however. While the Blues are not in contention to qualify for the play-offs, they have nothing to lose and have enough game beakers to be able to put points on quickly.

What the Hurricanes will be dead keen on doing is shoring up their defence while getting their attacking game back on track as they try to build momentum for the last weeks of the competition.

Fans can join Brad for his 100th Investec Super Rugby match against the Blues on Fan Appreciation Night at Westpac Stadium on Saturday. Simply click HERE and use promo code WELLINGTON to secure 30% off Adult tickets. The first 5,000 fans receive a complimentary rally towel and the first 500 fans receive a compliemntary Brad Shields commemorative poster.