The Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have lost just twice in their last five round-robin encounters with the Crusaders. When they're playing their best they are a brilliant team and can beat anyone. After finishing ninth on the Super 12 table in both 2001 and 2002, their continued improvement through 2003 - when they won, for them, a record seven matches in a row - saw them finish the season in third place, having lost just four matches of the 11 they played in the round-robin. The Hurricanes have finished third once before, their highest position yet in the competition. They'll be aiming for top place in 2004, and it could very well be their year!