The stats don't lie: Week 13 preview

Stephen Brett faces a tough match-up against Quade Cooper tonight. Photo / Getty Images

Match of the weekend is surely the top of the table clash with the Reds and Blues in Brisbane.

The local derby game sees the Hurricanes travel to Invercargill to take on the Highlanders, while the Chiefs host the Stormers in Hamilton.

Over in South Africa the Crusaders play the Cheetahs in the last game of their away trip.

REDS v BLUES

- It may be the second game of the Friday night double-header but it is undoubtedly the game most rugby fans will be watching as the overall first placed Blues take on the second placed Reds. Both teams lead their respective conferences, and with only two points separating them on the overall points table it is a chance for either the Reds to reclaim first place or the Blues to increase that lead.

- The numbers are close here, with the Reds are the second best attacking side and the Blues are third equal with the Cheetahs. The Reds are the fourth best defensive side, and the Blues are fifth equal with the Sharks. If you average out their points for and against this year, you will get a 24-23 score in favour of the Reds.

- The Blues are on a seven match winning streak since their draw against the Force back in Round 4, and have only lost won game this season (their Round 2 game against the Sharks in Durban). The Reds have lost two games the most recent in Round 11 when they lost by two points against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

- The last time the Blues played in Brisbane they won 27-18. Overall the Blues have won eight of the fifteen games played between these two sides, but the Reds haven't lost a home game this season.

- Quade Cooper may be considered flakey by some, but is the second highest points scorer in the competion with a total of 144 point that includes three tries and three drop goals.

- Key match ups to watch will be the battle of the two first-fives Cooper and Stephen Brett, Will Genia v Alby Mathewson at halfback, and James Horwill up against Ali Williams and Anthony Boric in the lineouts.

HIGHLANDERS v HURRICANES

- The Highlanders beat the Hurricanes 14-9 in the Round 1 game played in Wellington, and have only lost four games this season while the Hurricanes have lost seven.

- Neither of these sides set the world on fire when it comes to goal kicking, with the Hurricanes running at a 65% success rate while the Highlanders are only just scraping in with a 54% record.

- With Tyson Keats earning a four week suspension for a dangerous tackle, the Hurricanes will be delighted to have Piri Weepu back for the first time this season. He will start from the bench this week.

- The Highlanders have lost their breakdown maestro Adam Thomson to injury, but with Jarrad Hoeata (140) and Alando Soaki (134) sitting second and fourth for most tackles made in the competition they won't be found wanting on defence.

- Plenty of attacking ability in both backlines, respective first-five Aaron Cruden and Lima Sopoaga both made two linebreaks for their sides last week. Ben Smith starts in his preferred position of fullback for the Highlanders this week and has made seven linebreaks this season. Hosea Gear is the best of the Hurricanes attackers with a total of eight linebreaks.

- The Highlanders have a great lineout running at 89% success on their own throw, but the Hurricanes aren't far behind with an 82% success rate. Both teams are good contesters of the opposition throw too, last week they both stole two lineouts off the opposition. Watch for James Broadhurst, Victor Vito and Jarrad Hoeata in this area of the game.

CHIEFS v STORMERS

- The Stormers will be licking their wounds after losing to the injury-ravaged Crusaders last week, but have to contend with the travel factor as they take on the Chiefs on Saturday night.

- The Chiefs have only won five of the thirteen games played between these two sides, and lost to the Stormers 15-19 last year.

- Despite their loss last week the Stormers are still the best defensive side in the competition, only conceding an average of 14 points per game. The Chiefs attack has been poor by their standards this season, and they will need to pull out all the stops to breach the Stormer's defence. Look to Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu, who both made two linebreaks last week.

- Set piece will be key for the Chiefs, their lineout is the worst of the New Zealand sides winning just 73% of their own throw and they will be up against the giant Andries Bekker. They have also struggled with scrum penalties this season, although last week they only conceded one against a strong Highlanders pack.

- Key match ups in this game will be the battle of the two centres between Richard Kahui and Jaque Fourie, halfbacks Brendon Leonard and Ricky Janurie, 1st 5s Stephen Donald and Peter Grant, and the loosies where the Chiefs' trio of Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam come up against Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Schalk Burger.

CHEETAHS v CRUSADERS

- This will be the first game in 2011 that the Crusaders have both Dan Carter and Richie McCaw playing. The Crusaders have had to call in four back-up players to replace the injured Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock and Kahn Fotuali'i. Of those replacements Ryan Crotty starts at centre, while halfback Steve Alfeld and fullback Brent Ward are on the bench.

- The Cheetahs may not be in contention for the playoffs but they are a dangerous, attacking side. Halfback Sarel Pretorious is top-equal try scorer with eight, and is also a dangerous runner having made twelve linebreaks and eighteen off-loads this season.

- Sonny Bill Williams is still the top off-loader of the competition, and with a massive 41 to date has made double that of the next best player. Last week he made four off-loads, two of which culminated in tries to the Crusaders.

- Expect a high-scoring game, the Crusaders average almost 44 points while the Cheetahs average 26. Can the Crusaders maintain their impressive defensive record this week with all the replacements they've had to make?

Further NZ player stats can be found at Haka.co.nz

- HERALD ONLINE