Highlanders vs Hurricanes Tips - Highlanders to add to Hurricanes woes

The Highlanders have looked a cohesive unit this season while the Hurricanes have lost all three matches thus far. I'm backing the Highlanders to come out on top and Ash Dixon to score.

The Hurricanes lead the Highlanders 20-15 in their last 35 matches. The Highlanders won their last encounter 38-21 during 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa at the Forsyth Barr Stadium

The Highlanders currently sit third on the Super Rugby Aotearoa table with one win and two defeats from their three matches.

On the opening weekend the Highlanders put in an impressive showing but lost out 26-13 at home to the Crusaders. That was followed by an excellent second half performance as the Highlanders came from behind to beat the Chiefs 39-23 away.

In their last match the Highlanders went down 39-17 away to the Blues. It was the first time this season that they were comprehensively outplayed.

While the Highlanders were never really considered title challengers, they will have hopes of retaining third place.

Aaron Smith will overtake Ben Smith as the most capped Highlanders player this weekend when he runs onto the park. It will be his 154th appearance for the Otago-based outfit.

Freedom Vahaakolo will make his debut at right wing after a string of impressive Mitre 10 performances. There is another debut awaiting Japanese international, Fumiaki Tanaka who will start on the bench.

The Hurricanes have lost all three of their opening Super Rugby Aotearoa matches. They are bottom of the table with a -38 points difference and one point.

After an up and down 2020 season, the Hurricanes were expected to improve this time around. Unfortunately they have not hit their straps at all.

They began their campaign with a home 31-16 defeat to the Blues before losing 33-16 at the Crusaders. In week three the Canes had a bye but they returned to action last weekend with a 35-29 home defeat to the Chiefs.

To put that in perspective, the Chiefs had lost their previous 10 matches.

Veteran hooker, Dan Coles returns from injury to start this weekend.

Half-back pairing, Simon Hickey and Jackson Garden-Bachop have been ruled out for the season. That means that 19-year-old Ruben Love comes onto the bench this weekend. He will cover both flyhalf and midfield.