Super Rugby preview round six: Are the Hurricanes the real deal?

Round six of Super Rugby sees four intriguing games involving New Zealand teams with plenty of interesting storylines.

The top of the table Hurricanes will finally be truly tested with their first Kiwi derby against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

A Brumbies veteran will become Super Rugby’s most-capped player in the clash against the Chiefs in Canberra.

The Crusaders are giving a gifted first-five his first start at North Harbour Stadium against Moana Pasifika.

And the Blues are unleashing Carlos Spencer’s son for a long-awaited debut.

Let’s take a closer look:

HIGHLANDERS v HURRICANES | Dunedin| Friday, 7.05pm

The Highlanders have already had three Kiwi derbies in five weeks, while the top-of-the-table Hurricanes are entering their first.

It’s a gentle introduction for the Canes, though, who’ve had it all over the Landers for the past six years, winning the last nine in a row.

That's almost as far back as cassette tapes, which some of the young Highlanders squad had no idea how to use, in a contender for social media content of the year.

We finally get a look at what could well be the future of the All Blacks inside backs with Ruben Love starting at first-five for the first time this season, outside halfback Cam Roigard.

The Canes are dripping with quality in the loose-forwards with in-form Devan Flanders starting alongside Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose, leaving international flankers DuPlessis Kirifi and Brad Shields on the bench.

But if the Highlanders are to trouble the Hurricanes anywhere, it’s at the breakdown with turnover king Timoci Tavatavanawai set to cause trouble all day alongside fit-again co-captain Hugh Renton.

Prediction: Canes by five

BRUMBIES v CHIEFS | Canberra | Friday, 9.35pm

This is the game of the round that will see a Super Rugby record broken.

Brumbies prop James Slipper will pass former Crusaders front-rower Wyatt Crockett as the most-capped player of all-time in his 203rd match.

Not that the Chiefs care, though, they’ll be out to spoil the party, having won the past five in a row against the Brumbies.

Captain Luke Jacobson returns from a hip injury into the loose-forwards that are still missing Wallace Sititi, who’ll be nursing a hamstring issue until at least round eight.

The Brumbies are tough to crack, especially on a stormy night in the Australian capital, but it’s just too hard to look past the quality of the Chiefs, who boast game-breakers such as Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tupou Vaa’i, Damian McKenzie, Quinn Tupaea, and Leroy Carter.

Prediction: Chiefs by eight

MOANA PASIFIKA v CRUSADERS | North Harbour | Saturday, 7.05pm

It doesn’t get any easier for bottom-of-the-table Moana Pasifika, facing a six-day turnaround from their loss to the Blues at Eden Park to take on the defending champion Crusaders.

The red ‘n blacks have been decimated by injury, though, with 14 players in the casualty ward, including three first-fives.

That’s allowed Tasman pivot Cooper Grant, son of Black Sox softball legend Marty Grant, to be handed his first Super Rugby start.

David Havili is out for the next month with a heel issue, so Will Jordan captains the team, and Moana will have to watch the All Blacks' fullback closely. He leads the competition with 12 line breaks and is third with 20 defenders beaten from just four appearances.

Prediction: Crusaders by 30

WARATAHS v BLUES | Sydney | Saturday, 9.35pm

Finally, we get to see Payton Spencer make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues.

His dad, Carlos, won three Super Rugby titles and is considered the GOAT of the Auckland-based franchise, so no pressure!

The 21-year-old fullback has already represented New Zealand in Sevens, but has been plagued by injuries in recent years and will come off the bench in what promises to be an emotional occasion.

The Blues are on an 11-game winning streak against the Waratahs, who started the season red-hot but have cooled off in recent weeks.

What a shame Dalton Papali’i is heading overseas at the end of the season. The Blues skipper is in career-best form, leading the competition with 87 tackles.

Prediction: Blues by 12