Hurricanes

All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa'i scored two of the Chiefs' three tries in miserable conditions in Hamilton to bounce back from last week's shock 25-22 loss to the Reds - their first defeat of the season.

Up 10-0 at halftime, the home side looked comfortably placed when Vaa'i then bagged his second try as the pouring rain grew in intensity reports RNZ.

However, tries to Hurricanes fullback Josh Moorby and No.8 Brayden within the space of 10 minutes closed the gap to eight points entering the closing stages.

The team includes players like center Jordie Barrett, one of the best openside flankers in world rugby Ardie Savea, his brother Julian, former All Blacks prop Owen Franks, Fiji-born Kini Naholo and Salesi Rayasi and Isaia Walker-Leawere who have links to Fiji.

Some players that are not part of the team to play the Drua, include All Black halfback TJ Perenara, hooker Dane Coles and big lock, Dominic Bird.

The Hurrcanes take on the Drua on Saturday at 2.05pm (Fiji Time) in Suva.

Photo Credit: FBC News 

Byrne said despite going down 30-14 to a strong Blues side in Lautoka last week, they still can crack a quarter-final spot.

He said it’s not over for the side as they have done well in just their second year.

“In our last few games we’ve got the Hurricanes here next week and then our last 4 games and I don’t know what the ladder looks at the moment. Those 4 games all those teams are fighting for a spot in the top 8 and it will be in our hands when we get to those last 4 games.”

Byrne said the Blues were a good team on the day even though they came in well prepared.

Savea, who scored 46 tries in 54 Test matches for the All Blacks, will run out for his 150th appearance in Hurricanes colours later this week.

The man who is famously known as ‘The Bus’ holds a special place in the history of both New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks.

Savea played a key role in the Rugby World Cup triumph in 2015, and the Hurricanes’ maiden Super Rugby title a year later.

The Hurricanes topped the table with a 29-14 win at the Highlanders last weekend while the Chiefs had a bye, setting up a blockbuster at Sky Stadium between the top two sides in the competition.

Jason Holland's Hurricanes will look to extend their winning streak to five for the first time since the 2020 season and shrug off any lingering doubts about their title credentials.

They have not defeated any of the major contenders this campaign but now have their chance against the unbeaten Chiefs in a match rescheduled to the afternoon due to a lighting problem at the venue.

Up 8-7 at halftime, the Hurricanes scored three tries after the break to notch a sixth win from seven games, to move ahead of the unbeaten Chiefs on points differential.

The Chiefs sat out a bye in round seven and return to the fray next week against the Hurricanes, in what will be a table-topping affair in Wellington on Saturday.

The Hurricanes Centurion and former England international has signed for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

31 year old Shields is currently playing for French club Perpignan on a short term deal.

He left Wellington in 2018 to play for London Wasps, who last year went into administration and were relegated from the English Premiership.

His signing will help offset the loss of captain Ardie Savea, who will take a sabbatical in Japan next year.

A SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee on Monday night deemed that Savea should front the judiciary.

Savea is alleged to have contravened Law 9.27: A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship.

RNZ reports Savea had earlier apologised for the gesture aimed at a Rebels player and had hoped it wouldn't result in judicial action.

Coach Jason Holland confirmed young star Ruben Love and new signing Brett Cameron would both miss their trip to Australia for early matches against the Reds and Rebels after picking up injuries during the pre-season.

Love has been sidelined with an ongoing groin issue, which has limited his involvement during training, while Cameron suffered a grade two calf tear in their warm- up match against the Blues last weekend.

Heading into the new Super Rugby Pacific season, Holland said the Hurricanes management have set themselves the goal of getting as many new players into the All Blacks set-up as possible.

Holland believed there were three or four knocking on the door, including promising playmaker Ruben Love.

Helping his cause, the 21-year-old is set for a consistent run at fullback with Jordie Barrett being retained as a second-five, a move Holland insisted was not influenced by the All Blacks, but one that should please Ian Foster and co nonetheless.