Rugby: Hurricanes to take circumspect approach against Crusaders

Ardie Savea makes a break for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders during their Round 12 clash at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport.

Expect a slightly more circumspect Hurricanes for what will likely be their last home game of 2017 on Saturday night against the 14-0 Crusaders.

That tweaking of approach is not just due to the storm that has hit the capital, and any residual effect in two days' hence, but more for the realisation that they only have to win, rather than pursue a bonus point, to finish fifth on the log and thus qualify for a quarter-final in Canberra. 'Only' having to win sounds straightforward enough were it not for the fact they are facing the competition leaders, who will be anxious to qualify top and thus guarantee home advantage through to the final. Scott Robertson's men will also be chastened by last month's 12-3 defeat by the Lions.

The Hurricanes have kicked just eight penalty goals all season, a competition low, but they might need a couple on Saturday night to keep their noses in front.

"We just need to be more patient and clinical in some areas. We've worked on that this week," says centre Vince Aso. "We have to build phases and get in the right areas through our game drivers. The Lions did a lot of kicking against them, so we'll look to isolate them under the high ball."

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd recalls a cold May night in Christchurch when his charges lost 20-12, "played too much rugby and our set-piece didn't function too well."

"We expect whoever they roll out will be tough this weekend, so getting some sort of parity at set-piece has been a focus."

The front-line Hurricanes' All Blacks have been swiftly re-installed after missing the franchise's 31-all draw with the Lions. Beauden Barrett was the only one who saw extensive game time in that test series, and he was excused training on Monday, but will resume at first five. The other quartet should be raring to go. As ever, Boyd was unsure who would be assuming the goalkicking duties, but he did, tongue in cheek, narrow it down to either Beauden or Jordie Barrett. Expect the former to tee up, as he did the honours in the Lions test series, and is poised on 994 Super Rugby points.

An ankle injury from club rugby has scratched reserve hooker Leni Apisai, so former NZ Under 20 rake James O'Reilly may get a debut. Lock Sam Lousi's size and physicality will come in useful against a Crusaders' pack that will seek to assert itself in the set-pieces and breakdown. Vaea Fifita's shift to the No 6 jersey gives an athletic look to the loose trio.

Ngani Laumape and Aso are still locked on 14 competition tries apiece in 2017, one behind the all-time record of Joe Roff and Rico Gear.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (c), Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Mark Abbott, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May

Reserves: James O'Reilly, Chris Eves, Loni Uhila, Reed Prinsep, Callum Gibbins, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane