The opening 5min have been characterised by plenty of handling errors by the Hurricanes. Highlanders have been camping inside their own 22.

Unbelievably, Aaron Smith has a third attempt to clear up field and he shanks the kick again. The Hurricanes have had three lineouts on the Highlanders 22m due to his kicks, but have been unable to make anything of it.

Aaron Smith attempts to clear the ball up field, but once again it comes off the side of his boot.

Barrett makes a line break inside the 22m area, but then loses the ball forward in contact. Big opportunity lost. Highlanders scrum 10m from their own tryline.

Highlanders receive the ball from the lineout. Aaron smith performs a clearing box kick, but it goes out on the full. Hurricanes lineout on the Highlanders 22m line.

Fekitoa has plenty to prove today against the starting All Black centre combination.

The teams have made their way onto the field. Kickoff is seconds away.

The Hurricanes are on an unbeaten run and look to go top of the table with a victory today.

Hello and welcome to today's opening match of round 6 where the Highlanders take on the Hurricanes. It is a mouth watering prospect having these two in-form sides line up against each other. The Highlanders have paid the price for beating the defending champions the Waratahs last week with their top three props picking up injuries and a fourth injuring himself during practice this week. This will be a real test of depth for them. The Hurricanes come into today's match without the services of Dan Coles, who injured his elbow last week.