The round 12 fixture against the ladder-leading Chiefs shapes as the biggest game of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes can solidify their place in the top six if they back up their win against the Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday.
The Chiefs have been the benchmark this season along with the Crusaders but they have an opportunity to go clear at the top of the table before their visit to Christchurch as the Crusaders have the week off.
The Chiefs will be without back line stars Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw says the Chiefs are at the top of the table for a reason, while Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi says they have got a strong Canes team waiting for them, fresh off a [good] performance against the Brumbies.
The Chiefs’ No 8 announced himself to the rugby world with a breakout performance against the Hurricanes on his last Super Rugby Pacific visit to Wellington.
The Canes host the Chiefs at 7.05 tonight, the Brumbies play the Waratahs at 9.35 tonight while the Highlanders will meet Moana Pasifika at 3.35pm tomorrow.
[Source: Stuff.co]
