Match of the weekend for Round Four is the all-New Zealand derby in Wellington where the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs this Saturday night.
The Hurricanes have only played one game so far due to the Round Two game against the Crusaders being called off post the Feb 22 Earthquake, and their bye in Round Three.
In other games the Crusaders face the Brumbies in Nelson, the Blues are in Perth playing the Force, While in Capetown two of the three unbeaten sides in the competition battle it out as Stormers take on the Highlanders.
MATCH OF THE WEEKEND: STATS AT A GLANCE
- The Hurricanes have won 9 of the 17 matches played between the two sides, and won 33-27 last year in Wellington
- The Chiefs haven't won in Wellington since 2001
- Tana Umaga will be making his first appearance at the Cake Tin as a non-Hurricanes/Wellington player, but the anticipated match up between him and Ma'a Nonu will not be taking place as Nonu will be serving the one-match suspension he earned in the first round for his red card
- Discipline will be key for the Canes having conceded 2 yellow cards and a red in their sole game to date
- The Chiefs have the worst lineout of all the NZ teams, winning only 74% of their own ball but have the best stealer of opposition throws in lock Isaac Ross
- Despite averaging 11 penalties per game the Chiefs are the least penalised NZ side at the breakdown with only a third of their penalties conceded at the ruck or tackle
- The Chiefs have big firepower at the back with Lelia Masaga top equal NZ try scorer with 3 to his name, and fellow winger Sitiveni Sivivatu sitting on 2 tries. Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams has made 4 clean linebreaks in his time off the bench to date.
OTHER STATS
- Chris Jack will clock up 100 games for the Crusaders when he plays against the Brumbies on Friday night. Jack made his debut for the Crusaders 12 years ago and will become the 7th Crusader to play 100 Super Rugby matches.
- Luke McAlister and Tony Brown are the top NZ goal kickers going into this round sitting on 100% to date, followed by Dan Carter 92%, Mike Delany 75%, Stephen Donald 69% and Robbie Robinson 63%.
- Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock are the top lineout jumpers having won 100% of their throws. Craig Clarke 83%, Anthony Boric 71% and Ali Williams 67% are the next best.
- Adam Thomson leads the breakdown turnover stats by a country mile, sitting on 6 clean wins. Next best are the Crusaders loose trio of George Whitelock, Matt Todd and Kieran Read who all have 2 each.
- Top clean linebreakers are Kade Poki on 5, followed by Robbie Fruean, Tim Nanai-Williams and Joe Rokocoko with 4 each.
The Chiefs take on the Hurricanes on Saturday night. Photo / Getty Images
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