Hurricanes vs Brumbies Prediction: Canes too strong for Brumbies

The Super Rugby Pacific season has reached the qualifying finals stage and Friday morning (08:05am BST 7:05pm local, Sky Sports+) throws up a clash at Hnry Stadium, as the Hurricanes take on the Brumbies.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Hurricanes vs Brumbies prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in Wellington.

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Team News

Starting with the Hurricanes, the hosts go with Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi in the front row, with locks Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns in the second row.

Brad Shields, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai form the back row, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love in the half-backs.

Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor start in the centres, while Kini Naholo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin form the back three.

As for the Brumbies, the visitors have James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row, with locks Lachlan Shaw and Cadeyrn Neville in the engine room.

Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer and Charlie Cale complete the pack, while Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith pair up again in the half-backs.

David Feliuai and Hudson Creighton are the centre combination, while the Canberra outfit go with a tried and tested back three of Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright.

Hurricanes vs Brumbies Odds

The Hurricanes are the heavy favourites at 1/14 for the win, while the Brumbies are the 7/1 underdogs to come out on top.

A draw in Wellington is available at 33/1, while the Brumbies to be leading at the half-time whistle are 18/5.

Hurricanes -19 handicap @ 21/20

These sides met in Round 11 of this Super Rugby Pacific campaign, with the 'Canes cruising to a 45-12 victory against Stephen Larkham's men at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.

Since that game, the Hurricanes went on to finish top of the table at the end of the regular season, with 21 points between themselves and the sixth-place Brumbies.

The Hurricanes suffered a 47-14 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders last time out, but it was a much-changed side that took to the field in Christchurch.

While the 'Canes were able to rest a host of their big names, it was a strong Brumbies side who ended their regular season with a 21-19 home defeat at the hands of Moana Pasifika at GIO Stadium last week.

Given their fresh legs going into this game, home advantage and the fact the Hurricanes have won five of their last six games, the Wellington outfit are backed for the win again on Friday morning.

The 'Canes won by 33 points the last time they faced the Brumbies and, having suffered finals heartbreak at the hands of the Canberra outfit last season in the finals, Craig Laidlaw's side are backed to get their revenge this week in the Kiwi capital.