The Hurricanes have named perhaps their strongest matchday 23 yet this season for their round 10 clash with the Western Force in Perth.
The Crusaders sent a message to the rest of the competition in Super Rugby Pacific with a 31-24 win over the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium.
The Hurricanes sit on the cusp of a playoff berth heading into round nine's clash with the Crusaders in Wellington and have the luxury of consistent selection for the derby.
Super Rugby Pacific's week-by-week Player of the Year voting system has been bringing fans an insight into which players have been impressing opposition the most in 2025.
The decision by Ineos to renege on a lucrative six-year deal was looking like having a catastrophic impact on NZRU's finances
The Hurricanes have the benefit of consistency in a tumultuous Super Rugby Pacific season, naming a settled matchday 23 to take on the Blues in Auckland.
The Hurricanes have made it eight straight wins over the NSW Waratahs on Friday evening, where fans at Sky Stadium in Wellington were treated to a one sided affair, with the Hurricanes taking the spoils, 57-12.
After losing starting first five-eighth Brett Cameron to an ACL injury prior to the season, the Hurricanes have now lost breakout playmaking talent Harry Godfrey for six weeks.
Du’Plessis Kirifi understands the Hurricanes desperately needed to beat the Highlanders on Friday night.
Week five of Super Rugby Pacific got underway in Dunedin on Friday evening when the Highlanders hosted the Hurricanes in the Super Kids round.