What the stats say: 15 and counting! Can the Blues end their local derby drought?

Sonny Bill Williams in action against the Hurricanes. Photo / Photosport

The local rivalries reignite in Round 13 with the Blues and Hurricanes kicking off the round in a critical clash for the Auckland side. All five of the New Zealand teams are in action again in Round 13, with a veritable Super Saturday taking effect with three games featuring Kiwi clubs.

First cab off the rank is a must-win clash for the Blues, who will be looking to pick up as many points as possible to keep in touch with the remainder of the New Zealand conference. Now 10 points adrift of the fourth placed Chiefs, the Blues will be hoping to pick up maximum points from as many games as possible from here on out.

The Hurricanes come into this game red hot, however, having won their last eight games on the bounce. The Canes are undefeated since an opening-game loss to the Bulls (by just two points) and are enjoying what is now their longest ever regular season winning streak in Super Rugby.

The Hurricanes have won their last four New Zealand derbies on the bounce, including 3/3 in 2018, only once conceding 20 points or more in a game in that time. Meanwhile, the Blues' fortunes in local derbies is the polar opposite - the Auckland club are winless in their last 15 games against their fellow countrymen (D1, L14).

The Crusaders will play host to the Waratahs on Saturday as they look to extend a colossal streak of domination by New Zealand clubs over their Australian counterparts. Indeed, each of the last 38 games played between a New Zealand team and an Australian team has been won by the New Zealand team on the day, by far the longest streak in such fixtures in Super Rugby history.

The Waratahs have struggled against New Zealand opposition in recent times, winning just one of their last 12 games, however they recently welcomed back strike weapon Israel Folau, who will prove pivotal if the New South Wales side are to escape with points.

Folau was damaging in his return in Round 12, making 17 carries for 88m gained, five clean breaks, and four offloads - it was his most carries in a Super Rugby game since Round 3 last season (19). The Wallabies flyer has scored seven tries in his last nine games against New Zealand opposition, and has been directly involved in seven tries in his last eight games in New Zealand (4 tries, 3 try assists).

Immediately after that game, the Highlanders will play host to the touring Lions squad. The Lions are coming off the back of a nine-point loss to the Hurricanes, and have won just three of their previous 27 games in New Zealand overall - however, one of those wins came against the Highlanders in 2011.

The Highlanders are back at home, and their home crowd will certainly play a factor in the outcome of this fixture. The Highlanders have won their last 10 games on the bounce at home, winning those games by an average margin of 21 points. It's the club's longest home winning streak since a streak of 13 wins from 2000 to 2002.

Wrapping up affairs for the New Zealand clubs in Round 13, we see the Chiefs travel to South Africa to face a resurgent Stormers outfit who have now picked up wins in their last two games. The Chiefs hold the best recent form in this fixture having won five of their last seven clashes, while they've lost just four of their last 27 games against South African opposition overall. They will need to be wary of giving away cheap penalties in Cape Town though – no side has punished their opponents from penalties more often than the Stormers this season, slotting 18 penalty goals in total.

- Opta Stats