Rugby: Canes facing true test match

Sharks v Hurricanes
Durban, 3.05am tomorrow

The familiarity factor weighs against the Hurricanes as they prepare for a Super 14 showdown battle of the heavyweights against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow morning.

Two teams rated by many as the best prospects in New Zealand and South Africa respectively before the competition kicked off, both are on track for the playoffs.

The Sharks are deserved leaders, having played consistently well employing a fairly straightforward style, while the fifth-placed Hurricanes have run hot and cold.

Yet they sit just six points behind their opponents with a game in hand.

If any game shapes as a forward grind it could be this one, with both sides naming two props on the bench in readiness for a venue often blighted by sapping humidity.

The Sharks know well how to handle such conditions, helping to explain why they have won 19 of their past 21 games at ABSA Stadium.

Also to their advantage this week is coach John Plumtree and his assistant Chris Boyd's knowledge of New Zealand rugby and the Wellington/Hurricanes style.

Both New Zealanders coached in Wellington as recently as the 2006 Air NZ Cup campaign and several of that squad remain key Hurricanes figures.

Visiting coach Colin Cooper admitted his counterparts would have a degree of insight.

"There are changes in the players from 3-4 years ago but they'll certainly have an edge because they've coached a number of our guys," he said.

Boyd, who spent years in the Wellington club scene, admitted the Hurricanes would bring a game far different from the Brumbies, who the Sharks clobbered 35-14 last week.

"I suspect when [the Hurricanes] looked at their tour, they would probably have said this was their test match," he said on the Sharks website.

"The Hurricanes will be more competitive at the breakdown, that will be a fairly big competition.

"Their game is based on fast ball and width, they're good at that, so we will look to be more clinical."

Gun winger JP Pietersen was reportedly ruled out with an ankle injury but has been bracketed with Luzuko Vulindlu.

It is close to the Sharks' strongest lineup, with veteran Springboks hooker John Smit named at tighthead prop and Francois Steyn once again at first five-eighths in the absence of the injured Ruan Pienaar.

The Hurricanes are without lock Jeremy Thrush, who injured an elbow in last weekend's 38-32 defeat of the Lions in Johannesburg, but have been strengthened overall by the return to the starting 15 of three All Blacks - Andrew Hore, prop Neemia Tialata and fullback Cory Jane.

SHARKS v HURRICANES

Sharks:

Stefan Terblanche
Odwa Ndungane
Adrian Jacobs
Riaan Swanepoel
Pietersen/ Vulindlu
Francois Steyn
Rory Kockott
Ryan Kankowski
Keegan Daniel
Jacques Botes
Johann Muller (c)
Steven Sykes
John Smit
B du Plessis
Tendai Mtawarira

Reserves: Jannie du Plessis, Deon Carstens, Albert van den Berg, Skholiwe Ndlovu, Charl McLeod, Godfried Dumond, Vulindlu/Chris Jordaan

Hurricanes

Cory Jane
Zac Guildford
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
David Smith
Piri Weepu
Alby Mathewson
R So'oialo (c)
Karl Lowe
Faifili Levave
Jason Eaton
Bryn Evans
Neemia Tialata
Andrew Hore
John Schwalger

Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Tim Fairbrother, Api Naikatini, Victor Vito, Willie Ripia, Tamati Ellison

- NZPA