Preview: Hurricanes v Sharks

The Hurricanes return to the capital desperately needing to rekindle their season, which won't be easy against an underrated Sharks side.
Look for Cory Jane to perform strongly, he thrives at Westpac Stadium.

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<b>VENUE & TIME: </b>Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Saturday March 27, 19.35 NZT.

<b>HEAD TO HEAD: </b> Played 14 – Hurricanes 6, Natal/Sharks 7, drawn 1.

<b>LAST TIME: </b>April 28, 2009 (Durban) – Sharks 33-17 Hurricanes.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: </b>April 28, 2008 – Hurricanes 13-13 Sharks.

<b>WALKING WOUNDED: </b> Cory Jane has recovered from his concussion suffered against the Stormers and returns at fullback for the Hurricanes, who move Andre Taylor to the left wing instead of Alipati Leiua. The rest of the side – with All Blacks Bryn Evans and Piri Weepu still on the bench – is the same as that which played the Bulls. Johann Muller is out with a finger injury and Keegan Daniel is also ruled out this week, so Alistair Hargreaves and Jaques Botes come in. The third change, which sees Jean Deysel benched, was voluntary.

<b>FORM: </b>
PAST FIVE Hurricanes:
Round 2: Beat Force 47-22
Round 3: Beat Lions 33-18
Round 4: Lost to Cheetahs 12-28
Round 5: Lost to Stormers 13-37
Round 6: Lost to Bulls 18-19

PAST FIVE Sharks:
Round 2: Lost to Cheetahs 20-25
Round 3: Lost to Crusaders 6-35
Round 4: Lost to Waratahs 21-25
Round 5: Lost to Brumbies 22-24
Round 6: Beat Highlanders 30-16

The Hurricanes had their poorest tour to South Africa in years, returning home with three losses and only one decent performance. That was in the last match against the Bulls, which was only lost by one point, but once again a string of errors – particularly under the high ball – led to the side being placed under all kinds of unnecessary pressure. Some of the changes made by Colin Cooper worked, but it will be interesting to see how the team takes shape over the next few weeks. The Sharks finally got one in the win column last week after a number of frustratingly close defeats, playing well enough against the Highlanders and taking whatever chances were presented. While still nothing like the power most expected them to be this season, they did look more like the sort of team one has come to expect out of Durban.

<b>WHO'S HOT: </b> Conrad Smith has been outstanding for the Hurricanes this season, and what his presence means to the team was never better shown than at Loftus last week. He is, as ever, an attacking threat and his defence was first-class as the Bulls made numerous probes into the Hurricanes midfield. Tyson Keats was by no means out of his depth as a starting halfback and brought his usual energy to the game. Up front Michael Paterson and Andrew Hore continue to impress, but they need a more cohesive effort from those around them. The Sharks forwards are almost all internationals, but few have looked test players on a consistent basis. Two whose performances are always good are dynamic No 8 Ryan Kankowski, a tremendous runner in broken play, and hard-working lock Steven Sykes, who gets little media attention but who always does his job. Ruan Pienaar had his best game of the season a week ago, as well as kicking accurately, and Adrian Jacobs always brings a steady hand to the midfield, whether on attack or defence.

<b>WE THINK: </b> This is a particularly hard match to call, as the Hurricanes really need to get back on track while the Sharks want to keep building on last week’s effort. We’re going to go against the home-town side, as we think the Sharks are more settled and, having been in Australasia for a few weeks, don’t have the travel issues facing the Hurricanes. We’ll give it to the Sharks by five, in what should be a rugged encounter.

<b>TEAMS</b>:
<b>Hurricanes: </b>1.John Schwalger, 2.Andrew Hore (captain), 3.Neemia Tialata, 4.Jeremy Thrush, 5.Michael Paterson,  6.Victor Vito, 7.Karl Lowe, 8.Rodney So’oialo, 9.Tyson Keats, 10. Willie Ripia, 11. . Andre Taylor, 12.Ma'a Nonu, 13.Conrad Smith, 14.Tamati Ellison, 15. Cory Jane. Reserves: 16.Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18. Bryn Evans, 19.Nick Crosswell, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. David Smith.

<b>Sharks: </b>1. John Smit (captain), 2.Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4.Steven Sykes, 5.Alistair Hargreaves,  6.Jacques Botes, 7.Willem Alberts, 8.Ryan Kankowski, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 10. Andy Goode, 11.JP Pietersen, 12. Riaan Swanepoel, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 14. Stefan Terblanche, 15.Patrick Lambie. Reserves: 16. Tendai Mtawarira, 17. Weihahn Herbst, 18.Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19.Jean Deysel, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Waylon Murray, 22. Odwa Ndungane.

<b>REFEREE: </b> Ian Smith (Australia)