Wynne Gray: Money on the Canes in Cake-Tin duel

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A stray $5 blows into your path as you saunter past the TAB on your way to watch coverage of tonight's Hurricanes and Highlanders clash.

Nobody looks to be searching for the banknote, besides if you ask the nearby world you will be swamped with alleged owners. Best take the Ed Hillary and turn it into at least a Kate Sheppard but which team do you slap the loot on to win this duel at the Cake Tin?

They are even on the points table, although the Highlanders have a game in hand and last time they met, in Dunedin, they took the bragging rights with a 35-31 victory. That night Lima Sopoaga missed his first kick then kicked goals all around the park as the Highlanders bounded to a strong lead before the Canes late rally.

So tonight, on the approach to the first All Black training camp on Sunday, the Hurricanes will roll out eight of those contenders to the visitors' quartet. The chance to gauge Liam Coltman's prowess at hooker against Dane Coles' qualities has gone with the latter's injury.

However, Motu Matu'u, the bustling barrel of Hurricanes energy, may be even more of a nuisance for his aspiring All Black opposite. He will have three training camp selections in the pack with him against the lone Coltman.

Three bright youngish backs - Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith - meet an awesome foursome of Canes power and ability through Beauden Barrett, Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Cory Jane.

But wait there's more, at least there is if you listen to the winds of chatter from the capital and their feeling (it's hardly rock solid belief) this may be their year to give the competition a crack.

It's been eight years since they almost appeared for their solitary foggy final loss to the Crusaders. If they want to qualify this year, they must win tonight and then get results against the Chiefs, twice, the Blues and Crusaders.

The Hurricanes have found a pack which has been more consistent this season.

When he returned from injury, Victor Vito's play has been a metaphor for that improvement with his physically tight play delivering the reliable path for others to latch on to.

If the pack can work their play up to that edge and earn favourable rulings from referee Garratt Williamson, then Barrett can orchestrate the trimmings.

Any dereliction of duty and the Canes will be hurt by the freewheeling enterprise of the Smiths and Fekitoa, men who bring the rapier and broadsword to their work.

But at home, with no room for a stumble and the chance of payback in front of the national selectors, my Ed Hillary goes on the Canes.