The Hurricanes will be looking to keep up the pressure on the Crusaders when they travel to take on the Force in Perth on Saturday.
The Hurricanes are in second position on the New Zealand conference, 11 points behind the Crusaders but having played a game less.
The Hurricanes have won nine of the last meetings with the Force, including the last eight in a row by an average margin of 17.5 points.
Meanwhile, the Force have lost their last seven games when hosting New Zealand opposition, including a record home defeat in their last match in Perth (49 points v Highlanders).
Furthermore, The Hurricanes have won their last 12 games in a row against non-New Zealand opposition, with those victories coming by an average margin of 30.5 points.
This should all make for an uphill battle for the Force who in fairness did well to bounce back from the thumping at the hands of the Highlanders to beat the Reds 40-26 last weekend in a good advert for attacking, running rugby which shows they are more than capable.
However, they must be wary of exposing themselves by committing too many numbers as the ‘Canes possess the most lethal counter-attack in the competition along with the Crusaders and Highlanders.
The Force need to improve their defensive effort if they are to nullify the away side who have a fit-again Beauden Barrett returning and the in-form duo of centres Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape, who lead the Super Rugby try-scoring charts.
And the Perth franchise will be looking to leapfrog the Waratahs and go up to second position in the Australian Conference. They are two points behind the ‘Tahs and a further 11 behind the Brumbies.
Force head coach Dave Wessels said that his team are looking forward to taking on the Hurricanes at home and backing up with another strong performance.
“Our biggest challenge is to learn how to back-up performances,” he said. “We didn’t play well in our last home game. It’s important that we address that this weekend.
“We want to play the way the people of WA will be proud of.”
The last time the teams met: The Hurricanes demolished the Force 41-6 and by six tries to zero when the Australian side visited Wellington last year. The Canes’ tries came from Dane Coles, James Marshall, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ngani Laumape and Ardie Savea. Five of them only came after the 50-minute mark as the Force tired.
Players to watch: Force full-back Marcel Brache has scored in each of his last two games for the Force and is definitely one to watch as he seems to be getting back to his best form. Solid under the high ball, with a good touch-finder and pace to burn, Brache is turning into a dangerous number 15.
Keep an eye on fit-again Beauden Barrett. He is undoubtedly the best fly-half in World Rugby at the moment. He possesses electric pace but also has the intelligence of when to use it to full effect. He is partly the reason why the Canes’ are such an effective counter-attacking side.
Team news: Western Force have made just one change to the starting XV to face the Hurricanes, with star full-back Dane Haylett-Petty returning from injury. Haylett-Petty returns from a hamstring injury he suffered against the Chiefs in Round 9, and will lead the team out in what will be his 50th match of Super Rugby and for the club. In the only other change to the 23, Marcel Brache moves to the bench and will look to continue his impressive form against the Reds last week, along with Wallaby squad members Tatafu Polota-Nau and Richard Hardwick.
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made six changes to the team that started against the Bulls in Pretoria with three in the backs and three in the forwards. However, it is Milner-Skudder’s presence in in the reserves that stands out in the match day 23. The mercurial outside back has not played since breaking two bones in his foot against the Chiefs in Hamilton back in Round 3.
After missing the opening match of the season with a minor hamstring strain, Milner-Skudder started at full-back against the Rebels and lasted 54 minutes against the Chiefs before a defender landed heavily on his foot. The outside back isn’t the only player returning in Perth with first five Beauden Barrett back in the number ten jersey after being withdrawn from the Hurricanes match against the Bulls as a precaution after reporting headaches in South Africa. Boyd said Barrett passed his concussion protocols and satisfied the medical team he was symptom free and ready to play. Barrett takes over from Otere Black in running a backline that includes Cory Jane on the right wing in place of the injured Wes Goosen (shoulder) and Ben Lam on the left for Julian Savea, who now looks set to play his 100th match for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs in Wellington next Friday. In the forwards Callum Gibbins replaces Ardie Savea at openside, Reed Prinsep starts at blindside, and Ben May takes over at tight head prop from Jeff To’omaga-Allen. Prinsep’s return to the starting team pushes Vaea Fifita back to lock and allows Mark Abbott to ease onto the reserves where To’omaga-Allen appears for the first time after starting the first 12 matches of the season.
Form: The Force have won four of their 12 matches this season against the Reds (twice), Kings and the Jaguares. Their losses have come against the Waratahs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs, Lions, Sharks and Highlanders.
The Hurricanes have won 10 of their 12 matches this season. They have beaten the Sunwolves, Rebels, Highlanders, Reds, Waratahs, Blues, Brumbies, Stormers, Cheetahs and Bulls while they have lost to the Chiefs and Crusaders.
Previous results:
2016: Hurricanes won 41-6 in Wellington
2015: Hurricanes won 42-13 in Perth
2013: Hurricanes won 22-16 in Wellington
2012: Hurricanes won 46-19 in Perth
2011: Hurricanes won 34-28 in Wellington
2010: Hurricanes won 47-22 in Wellington
2009: Hurricanes won 28-27 in Perth
2008: Hurricanes won 21-10 in Wellington
Prediction: The Hurricanes should make it nine out of nine against the Force. Hurricanes by 20.
The teams:
Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 James Verity-Amm, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Matt Hodgson (c), 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Francois van Wyk
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Mitchell Short, 22 Luke Burton, 23 Marcel Brache
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Brad Shields, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Vaea Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Loni Uhila
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Date: Saturday, June 3
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 19:55 local (05:05 GMT)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
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