The Super Rugby final this weekend features a crucial match‑up between the two best half backs in the competition.
The Highlanders little master, Aaron Smith is undoubtedly the gold standard for halfbacks in New Zealand but TJ Perenara has had a great campaign for the Hurricanes.
Perenara is the second‑top try‑scorer in Super Rugby with 11 tries. Smith has scored seven tries this season.
Smith has made 16 appearances and beaten 10 defenders, while making 11 clean breaks and producing six offloads.
The All Black has assisted in nine tries this season due to his dangerous running game.
Perenara has played 15 matches, beaten 16 defenders, made 17 clean breaks and produced 16 offloads.
But the 23‑year‑old has only assisted in six tries.
One interesting number to compare between the players is missed tackles.
Smith has made 72 tackles and missed 25 while Perenara has made 64 tackles and missed only five.
The Hurricanes will host the Highlanders in the 2015 Super Rugby final at 7.35pm Saturday.
Source: nzherald.com
