The stats don't lie: Week four review

The Hurricanes continue to be the most penalised New Zealand side at the breakdown. Photo / Getty Images

Match of the weekend was the all-New Zealand derby in Wellington where the Hurricanes just managed to hang on to beat the Chiefs 29-26.

GAME STATS

- Although the possession was evenly shared, the Chiefs made 16 handling errors to the Hurricanes nine.

- The Chiefs managed nie clean linebreaks to the Hurricanes' four with Tana Umaga, Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu all making two during the game. Andre Taylor contributed with two for the Hurricanes.

- Despite scoring three tries to two, the Chiefs' goalkickers in Stephen Donald and Mike Delany could only land four from six kicks at goal, whilst the Hurricanes' kickers Aaron Cruden and Daniel Kirkpatrick nailed all six kicks on offer.

- There were only 14 penalties in total during this game, with both sides conceding seven each.

- The Hurricanes continue to be the most penalised NZ side at the breakdown, conceding five of their seven penalties in that area this week. However, it was Conrad Smith and Jason Eaton who won the only two clean breakdown turnovers during this match.

- The Chiefs improved their lineout this week and won seven from nine of their throws, with two not-straight throws from replacement hooker Hika Elliot.

- The Hurricanes only had three lineout throws, winning two with the other a not-straight throw by Andrew Hore.

- Aled de Malmanche and Dwayne Sweeney played their 50th Super Rugby matches.

- The Hurricanes have clocked up 10 wins from the 18 matches played between the two sides, and it is now 10 years since the Chiefs have won a game in Wellington.


OTHER GAME STATS

Crusaders v Brumbies (52-10)

- Sean Maitland equalled the Super Rugby record for scoring four tries in a game, and is now the top NZ try scorer with a personal tally of five.

- Dan Carter clocked up 50 points for the season kicking eight from nine this week for a personal tally of 20 from the match, and is the top NZ points scorer.

- Chris Jack played his 100th Super game.

Stormers v Highlanders (18-6)

- There were no tries scored in this game, and the loss signalled the end of the Highlanders' three match winning streak.

- While they had 48 percent of possession the Highlanders turned turned the ball over 17 times.

- The Highlanders conceded 10 penalties and a yellow card.

- Adam Thomson stood out yet again winning seven of the Highlanders'lineouts, stealing two of the Stormers'lineouts and winning a breakdown turnover.

Force v Blues (22-22)

- A 40m penalty kick by Stephen Brett in the last play of the game gave the Blues a draw against the Force.

- Despite making five clean linebreaks in this game it took the Blues 77 minutes to score their only try of the game to captain Keven Mealamu.

- James O'Connor kicked all his goals, while Luke McAlister missed his first two penalty attempts before landing the next four. Brett converted Mealamu's try as well as the penalty to draw the game.