Preview: Hurricanes v Reds

VENUE & TIME: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Friday May 7, 19.35 NZT.

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HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Hurricanes 9, Reds 5.

LAST TIME: May 16, 2009 (Brisbane) – Reds 28-37 Hurricanes.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: February 22, 2008 – Hurricanes 23-18 Reds.

WALKING WOUNDED: Victor Vito injured a calf at training this week and misses this match, which removes one of the Hurricanes' best forwards and necessitates a pack reshuffle. Conrad Smith was doubtful during the week after taking a couple of head knocks against the Chiefs and a decision was delayed on his availability until the last moment. The Reds finally got some good news on the locking front, as Van Humphries has recovered from his ankle problem. That's especially welcome as both starters, Rob Simmons (cheekbone) and Adam Byrnes (knee) left the field early last week. Radike Samo, who has been overseas for the last four years, also gets an emergency call-up. Laurie Weeks (foot), Daniel Braid (knee) and Rod Davies (hamstring) were all under a cloud during the week; only Davies passed fit to play.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Hurricanes:
Round 8: Drew with Crusaders 26-26
Round 9: Bye
Round 10: Beat Brumbies 23-13
Round 11: Beat Highlanders 33-31
Round 12: Beat Chiefs 33-27

PAST FIVE Reds:
Round 8: Lost to Sharks 28-30
Round 9: Beat Lions 41-26
Round 10: Beat Bulls 19-12
Round 11: Beat Stormers 16-13
Round 12: Lost to Brumbies 12-32

After a miserable middle month, the Hurricanes got their season back on track in the nick of time. They have taken ten points from the last two matches although neither has been anything other than a battle and they have given up try for try to their opponents. When they did the basics well last week they impressed, but there was a lot of careless passing and inaccuracy at the breakdown that resulted in far too many turnovers for anyone's peace of mind. The Reds had second-row issues going into the Canberra match that were only exacerbated in the opening quarter and their makeshift pack battled throughout. That defeat ended a run of three good wins, which included two against the front-running South African sides, and it now remains to be seen how they can recover.

WHO'S HOT: Rodney So'oialo plays his 100th match for the Hurricanes this week and his team-mates will be keen to turn in a big one for one of the game's real troopers. The tight five have been playing a looser style in the past couple of weeks but a big effort at set piece will be needed on Friday and Neemia Tialata will be asked to lead the way at both scrums and rucks. Ma'a Nonu was the difference against the Chiefs, scoring two tries and making any number of powerful midfield busts; the Hurricanes will want more of the same against what is a pretty solid Reds midfield. Hosea Gear has also been making an impact out wide, even if tries are hard to come by, and is a player the Reds must watch. The Reds scrum is under-rated by many and Ben Daley has enjoyed a breakout season in the front row, which must be taking him closer to national honours. Humphries and his high work rate have been missed in the last couple of weeks, so his return is most timely. Will Genia is right at the top of his game and is probably the competition's outstanding player in 2010, while Quade Cooper is a rapidly improving first-five and he should set a new Reds season record this week; he needs only four points to break the current mark of 155, set by John Eales back in 1996.

WE THINK: This should be an excellent match, especially if the sides get halfway decent weather. A case can be made for both but we feel the Hurricanes have enough attacking weapons to get the job done, although a margin bigger than 10 points would surprise and bonus points may not be easy to obtain.

TEAMS:

Hurricanes: 1.Jacob Ellison, 2.Andrew Hore (captain), 3.Neemia Tialata, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Michael Paterson, 7.Karl Lowe, 8.Rodney So'oialo, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Hosea Gear, 12.Ma'a Nonu, 13.Conrad Smith, 14.Tamati Ellison, 15.Cory Jane.

Reserves: 16.Dane Coles, 17 John Schwalger, 18. Nick Crosswell, 19.Scott Waldrom, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Jason Kawau or Willie Ripia, 22. David Smith.

Reds: 1.Ben Daley, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Greg Holmes, 4. Radike Samo, 5. Van Humphries, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Andrew Shaw, 8.Leroy Houston, 9.Will Genia (captain), 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Digby Ioane, 12.Anthony Faingaa, 13. Will Chambers, 14. Rod Davies, 15.Peter Hynes.

Reserves: 16. Sean Hardman, 17.James Slipper, 18. Ezra Taylor, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Lei Tomiki, 21. Ben Lucas, 22. Brando Va'aulu.

REFEREE: Bryce Lawrence