Crusaders expect another tough match against the Hurricanes tonight

History suggests the Wellington rematch between the Hurricanes and Crusaders will be tight and the game tonight will be a closely contested one.

The last three meetings between the two New Zealand teams at Sky Stadium have been decided by three points or less.

The Hurricanes coughed up a lead and lost 33-25 when the two teams met in Christchurch in round one after fading in the second half and have struggled for consistency during an injury-plagued campaign.

Clark Laidlaw’s team desperately needs a win to climb back into the top six, while a Crusaders victory would temporarily move them above the Chiefs in first place on the Super Rugby Pacific standings.

The Hurricanes have resisted the temptation to move star fullback Ruben Love to first five-eighth, naming an unchanged starting XV.

At the same time, the Crusaders are confident Scott Barrett can recapture his best form after welcoming the All Blacks captain back along with captain David Havili and Tamaiti Williams.

The Hurricanes face the Crusaders at 7.05pm today in Wellington.

In other matches, the Waratahs will take on the Chiefs at 9.35pm later today, the Blues will host Moana Pasifika at 4.35pm tomorrow, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Highlanders at 7.05pm tomorrow at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, and the Reds will play the Brumbies at 9.35pm tomorrow.