Rugby: Hurricanes and Blues share similarities

Hurricane's Captain Conrad Smith (right). Photo / Darren Taumata.

In some ways, the Hurricanes of 2014 and the Blues of 2015 aren't very different.

Last year, the Hurricanes lost their first three games and this season, the Blues have coughed up their first four. The Hurricanes had to deal with speculation about Mark Hammett's coaching future last year - he subsequently chose to move on after weathering the storm and seeing out the campaign - and the Blues are now answering questions about John Kirwan.

Their paths will cross at a rugby ground that has a stockcar track around it in Palmerston North on Friday night.

"That side's dangerous and they'll come together," Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith said in his assessment of the Blues. "We were in the same position last year and everyone was saying our coach was going to get sacked and all our players were rubbish and whatnot.

So we know what it's like and then we were one win away from making the finals by the end of the year. So we've just got to keep our heads above all that and I think we've done that so far this week."

Smith has a memory that is better than most and the passionate Hurricanes man can recall the last time his side played the Blues; it was in round 16 at Eden Park last year and the Blues ran away with a 37-24 win.

"They gave us a bit of touch up, to be honest, and a lot of us remember that and we know what it's like in their position," Smith said. "They'll have plenty of motivation for this game."

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd also sang from the same metaphorical song sheet entitled: 'The Blues Aren't Far Away'.

"They're full of dangerous individuals so that's the key for us: There's a number of guys in that side that can bury you if you get it wrong," Boyd said.

"So we just need to make sure that we close them down."

The Hurricanes, who have looked impressive in winning their opening three games, will start as hot favourites this week and they've named a powerful side.

Wing Cory Jane will take a rest but they don't give up much bringing Matt Proctor in, while All Black lock Jeremy Thrush will return to the squad via the bench after recovering from his calf injury.

Thrush is yet to feature this season but in his absence, second-rower Mark Abbott has been one of the Hurricanes' best-performed.

"Mark Abbott's really stepped up and done a fantastic job for us," Boyd said. "By a modern lock's standards he's quite short but he gives a huge amount around the field, so he's got a good workrate, good physicality and carries well."

Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder will also get a chance to start in front of his friends and family on Friday, while TJ Perenara returns to the No 9 jersey after playing from the bench in the Hurricanes' win over the Force two weeks ago.

Smith sat out the win over the Force and enjoyed the extra week off due to the bye in the last round but will return to the midfield alongside the experienced Ma'a Nonu, which pushes Rey Lee-Lo to the pine.