Hurricanes

Crusaders hope to tame Hurricane Barrett

The Crusaders lead the New Zealand conference, and overall standings, on 46 points with the Waikato Chiefs on 42 and the Hurricanes, who have played one less game, on 38.

Despite having won all 10 of their games so far this season, the Crusaders see match-ups against the Hurricanes on Saturday and the Chiefs in Suva on May 19 as the true examination of their title credentials.

"I suppose the next two weeks, the local derbies against the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, is the real test," Crusaders assistant coach Leon MacDonald said.

Hurricanes crush Brumbies in Napier

After trailing 21-14 at the break, the defending champions piled on six unanswered second-half tries on Friday night to shoot to the top of the table in devastating fashion.

Centre Vince Aso bagged a hat-trick, including two in six minutes early in the second half to blow the game open, while Callum Gibbins collected a double at McLean Park.

Boasting the best defence in the competition heading in to the match, the Brumbies simply had no answer after the break as Beauden Barrett delivered an attacking mastersclass.

Hurricanes claim narrow win over Blues

An unlikely brace of tries to lock Mark Abbott underpinned Saturday's win, the defending champions' sixth from seven matches this season.

Poor handling and some questionable option-taking again let the Blues down, the loss leaving the Aucklanders at the bottom of the New Zealand conference with just three wins from eight starts.

First blood went to the Hurricanes after three minutes when Abbott bulldozed over from close range, punishing some loose Blues defence around the ruck.

Sonny Bill Williams sports his new jersey for Blues against Hurricanes

Sonny Bill Williams sported his newly-designed Blues jersey at Auckland's Eden Park tonight in his side's Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes.

The jersey was adorned with the Plunket logo stitched on to both sides of the collar.

New Zealand Rugby and the Blues this week to Williams' request to have advertising from BNZ and Investec removed from his jersey.

Williams raised eyebrows last week when he taped over the BNZ logo on the collar of his Blues jersey.

Canes hope red faced Barrett is off the hook

The defending champions overcame a red card to the All Blacks first-five to beat the Waratahs 38-28 in their Super Rugby clash in Wellington.

The World Rugby player of the year scored a try, but was also judged to have deliberately knocked the ball down twice in the match.

He was sent off in the 60th minute after receiving his second yellow card for the same offence.

The Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd hopes the red card is all that Barrett will cop.

No comeback for Coles

Another week has brought another declaration that captain Dane Coles could've played "if it had been a final."

Instead, the "niggly" knee injury the Hurricanes hooker suffered in the March 18 win over the Highlanders, will now keep him out until April 15 at the earliest. Ricky Riccitelli will again be the starting No 2, when the team hosts the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said Coles has a posterior or medial cruciate ligament issue - he isn't sure which - and "if he's fit to play next week, he'll play."

Coles, Jane and Fifita set to return

Hearts were in mouths as the Hurricanes loose forward lay prone on Suncorp Stadium, having taken the ball into contact during Saturday's 34-15 win over the Reds. He was eventually helped from the field and diagnosed with a calf injury.

That's better than a knee or ankle, assuming the strain is as minor as the Hurricanes have suggested.

"He's pulled up pretty well considering what he looked like when he was on the ground there. He's got a niggly calf and he'd be pretty doubtful for this week," Hurricanes backs coach Jason Holland said on Monday afternoon.

Hurricanes beat the Reds

The loose forward was helped from the field late in the team's 34-15 win over the Reds in Brisbane, having taken the ball into contact and not got up.

Savea had produced a typically robust and explosive performance, from No.8, in what was a rather atypical match.

Referee Angus Gardner awarded three tries to the Hurricanes - Beauden Barrett in the 24th minute, then Mark Abbott (53rd) and finally TJ Perenara (56th) - only to think better of it after the host broadcaster went through its repertoire of replays.

Bye week comes at the right time for Hurricanes as niggles creep in

After an impressive 41-15 win over the Highlanders on Saturday night, you may have thought the desire to keep up momentum would be strong. 

But the sight of captain Dane Coles with an icepack strapped to his right knee, lock Michael Fatialofa sporting a limp and Matt Proctor sustaining a head knock late in the game meant Boyd felt it was a good time for a break.

"I think it's a nice time for us to have one.

Hurricanes wallop Highlanders

The 2016 champions ran in seven tries to two against their injury-ravaged opponents, who struggled to make inroads through makeshift first-five Fletcher Smith.

The decision to play Ardie Savea at No.8 paid dividends as the Test loose forward claimed a try and seven tackles, while the physical midfield duo of Ngani Laumape and Matt Proctor stood out.

They'll take a week off before travelling to Brisbane to take on the Reds, while the Highlanders will lick their wounds before tussling with the Brumbies.