Hurricanes vs Rebels Predictions & Tips - Hurricanes can win big at home

The Hurricanes were in magnificent try scoring form last weekend even though their defence left much to be desired. That attacking intent should however be enough see off the Rebels at home after the Melbourne side got smashed by 47 points last weekend.

My best bet is for the Canes to win by more than 26 points.

The Hurricanes have won their last seven matches against the Rebels. Their last match ended 29-19 in favour of the Hurricanes in 2019 Super Rugby.

After the disappointment of finishing last in Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Hurricanes began their Super Rugby trans-Tasman in fine fashion against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Julian Savea and Billy Proctor led the way, each scoring two tries as the Canes ran in a total of 10 tries. The 64-48 victory will give the Hurricanes huge confidence but there will be concern around their defensive performance.

Going into the second match the Hurricanes will want to improve drastically on defence. Dominating at set piece will be key against a Rebels side that plays a far more territorial based game than the Waratahs.

Ngani Laumape returns to inside centre after recovering from injury. Wes Goosen comes in at wing.

There is a new half-back combination in Jonathan Taumateine and Orbyn Leger who start ahead of Ruben Love and Luke Campbell.

The Rebels have endured a strange season thus far. They failed to make the Super Rugby AU playoffs, finishing fourth but still boasted one of the best defences in the competition.

It was their attack that let them down, scoring the least tries in the competition. Last week the Rebels hosted the Blues in their opening trans-Tasman Super Rugby game and got slaughtered 50-3.

After 30 minutes the Rebels were still in the game, trailing 12-3 but collapsed thereafter as the Blues ran in four unanswered tries. 

The Rebels have made plenty of changes to their side after a poor performance last week. George Worth comes in at fullback for Tom Pincus. Andrew Kellerway starts at right wing while Matt Toomua shifts from flyhalf to centre with Carter Gordon starting at flyhalf.

Among the forwards, Isi Naisarani returns to the side at eighth man and Michael Wells moves to flank.