Hurricanes

Both the Hurricanes and the Highlanders have named unchanged starting XV’s for the Super Rugby Final in Wellington on Saturday.

The Hurricanes dominated from start to finish as they recorded a 29-9 victory over the Brumbies at Westpac Stadium to reach the Super 15 final.

Perhaps the greatest strength of southern hemisphere rugby is that its flagship teams come into Rugby World Cup years with settled and complimentary XVs.

The Hurricanes maintained their perfect start to their Super Rugby by defeating the Rebels 36-12 in Wellington on Friday.

Dan Carter's return to rugby ended in forgettable fashion as his Crusaders side went down 16-9 to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Hayden Parker kicked all his side's points as the Highlanders earned a hard-fought 18-16 win over the Hurricanes to keep themselves well in the Super 15 play-off hunt.

Beauden Barrett's boot proved the difference as the Hurricanes bounced back from their loss to the Waratahs last weekend with a 25-15 victory over the Rebels in Melbourne.

The Hurricanes scored four second-half tries to come from behind for a 39-17 victory over the Blues in Wellington.

Beauden Barrett kicked 20 points to help the Hurricanes beat the Bulls for the first time since 2008, securing a narrow 25-20 victory at McLean Park, Napier.

A much milder climate than last week’s sweltering conditions greeted the RaboDirect Rebels in Geelong at Simonds Stadium, as they looked to build on last weeks performance in Albury.

There isn’t long until Super Rugby 2014 kicks off. It is exciting casting your eye over the different squads and exciting trying to pick the teams assuming everyone is fit (which doesn’t happen much these days).

Super Rugby 2013 is almost here and before you sign up for any tipping competitions based on picking the winning teams and margins, check out my analysis.

Super Rugby: Week 5 Review

Super Rugby 2012 is a great stage not only for existing stars like Sonny Bill Williams, Bismarck Du Plessis and Will Genia to strut the stuff, but it is always exciting to see the new talent coming through the ranks and New Zealand's cupboard of young scrum and fly halves look encouraging.

Super Rugby: Week 3 Review

Aaron Cruden's last second penalty gave the Hurricanes a much needed victory, in an exhilarating encounter