It's a terrific stadium too. With the visit of their celebrated neighbours from north of the Waitaki, the stage is set for a cracking match.
Can Adam Thomson continue his mighty work? Phil Burleigh and Tamati Ellison kept a lid on the combined talents of Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui, can they do the same against the in-form Robbie Fruean and Adam Whitelock?
All these questions and more, answered tomorrow.
2. COACH UNDER PRESSURE
Mark Hammett (Hurricanes)
There were some strange noises coming out of the Hurricanes' camp last week that were, to paraphrase, along the lines of: "As long as the fans see that we're trying really, really hard then they'll keep supporting us."
That might work in Utopia, but not in Wellington where fans want style first, results second and excuses third.
They acquitted themselves relatively well against a good Stormers team, but still lost. They need a W in the column against perennial losers the Lions.
After jettisoning some serious international talent to rebuild, Hammett already has a lot to answer for in the eyes of Hurricanes' fans. A loss to a team they routinely eat for breakfast would turn a coaching hot-seat into a bed of nails. As in, you made your bed, go and lie on it.
3. MICK'S PICK
Herald betting analyst Michael Guerin will be a regular correspondent to this column, picking a few gems.*
This week, rather than be specific, he is urging bettors to stay with 12 and under margins.
"The blowouts won't start to happen until we get more teams travelling abroad," Guerin said. "Derby games tend to be tighter than people imagine, even with two teams you'd expect to be unevenly matched."
Guerin suggests bettors have a look at the Highlanders-Crusaders clash at Dunedin and back both teams at unders.
"If you backed both at 12 and under, you can still make money."
Yesterday, the Highlanders are $4 at 12-, while the Crusaders are $2.85 for the same margin.
* Remember, punters, nothing is guaranteed.
4. SAY WHAT?"
The way they counter-rucked and the way they were dominant at the breakdown had a very Kiwi feel to it. Most coaches have a tactic to slow the ball down against the Reds - but it was more than that. NSW were disrupting the ball and significantly affecting the Queensland momentum."
Tim Horan in the Daily Telegraph. New Zealanders should read it as a compliment, albeit of the slightly backhanded quality.
5. STAT ATTACK
Week two and all that. Too early to start making sweeping generalisations. Yes, agreed.
However ... the kicking stats from the first round would back up the suspicion of those who believe New Zealand teams approach their footy by thinking in sevens, not threes.
South African teams' shots at goal in week one: 42.
Australian shots at goal: 29.
New Zealand shots at goal: 28.
Before you start to say the difference between the NZ and Australian teams does not look stark, consider that the Rebels had a bye.
(Incidentally, the NZ teams' success rate of 86 per cent is significantly higher than the others.)
6. FLASHPOINT
Okay, we accept that it's very difficult to raise you from your slumber to watch New Zealand teams play in South Africa, let alone two Bok teams going at it. At least consider the Stormers-Sharks clash at Cape Town a fair hearing.
They meet at 6.10am on Sunday, so consider yourself to be worshipping at the church of the 15-man code.
You can't split these sides. They've been regular visitors to the playoffs, but have never won a title. They've met each other 16 times and won eight each.
Best still, they really don't like each other. Expect referee Mark Lawrence to reach for his pocket at some stage. Light the fuse, step back, get ready ...
