KEY POINTS:
A smallish crowd of about 13,000 created a boisterous atmosphere in Palmerston North when Super rugby started life in New Zealand with the Hurricanes hosting the Blues.
Thirteen years on, as those same rivals prepare to square off at Eden Park, there is a similar sort of anticipation although the stakes are a lot greater tonight as this match begins the final round push for the Super 14 semifinals. Some links from that initial game remain while there have been connections between the two franchises throughout the life of Super rugby.
Blues assistant coach Greg Cooper was fullback for the Blues in that 1996 start, scored the Blues first points with a penalty before being knocked out and leaving the field late in his side's 36-28 victory. That triumph also gave the Blues a bonus point for tries, a result they will hope to repeat tonight.
Early in that opening match, Andrew Blowers was used as an injury replacement for the Blues and several years later was drafted with fellow Blues players, Orene Ai'i and Ofisa Tonu'u, to the Hurricanes.
Others who have played for both franchises down the years have been David Smith, Shannon Paku, Doug Howlett, Finau Maka, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Danny Lee and Isaia Toeava.
Administrators and staff have also changed allegiance with chief executive David White starting his career at the Hurricanes and then moving to the Blues in a move replicated by the franchises' marketing manager Grant McKenzie.
Frank Oliver coached both the Hurricanes and the Blues and conditioning trainer Graham Lowe was involved with both teams before his promotion to the national squad.
The Blues and Hurricanes have yet to meet in the Super semifinals.
It took the Hurricanes until 2005 to beat the Blues when they travelled to Eden Park and triumphed in captain Tana Umaga's 100th game.
That started a trend with the Hurricanes victorious in 2006 and last year as well.
