Jimmy Gopperth believes the Hurricanes will use the pain of last years Super Rugby final loss to go one better in 2016. The Hurricanes won 14 of their 16 regular season games last year but were defeated 21-14 by New Zealand rivals the Highlanders in the decider at Westpac Stadium.Wasps fly-half Gopperth made 51 appearances and scored 354 points during his three seasons at the Hurricanes, and he told Rugby Club Agenda that he expects them to push on this year. Obviously Ive got a soft spot for the Hurricanes and I do like the look of their team this year, he said.They have got a few young guns coming in and some good strike power. Theyre definitely going to be pushing at the top. All the New Zealand provinces are strong this year. Its going to be really interesting. Jimmy Gopperth Last year was the first where they had a really consistent year, only to lose at the last hurdle. I think they can build on that.Theyve got some really great coaches in Chris Boyd and John Plumtree. I had the pleasure of working with them for a number of years in Wellington. They install a really good belief in the squad and theyll use last year as fuel in looking to push on. Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Lynagh look ahead to the new Super rugby season Gopperth believes another of his former sides, the Blues, could be this years dark horses until the guidance of Tama Umaga, and says the Highlanders will be intent on proving they are not one-season wonders.Its always tough going back to back but the Highlanders were outstanding last year, said Gopperth.I know Jamie Joseph well and he will drill them. Theyll be hungry just to show it wasnt a fluke or a one-off.All the New Zealand provinces are strong this year. Its going to be really interesting. Super Rugby season preview Sean Fitzpatrick looks at the New Zealand conference Meanwhile, Gopperth says it is a three-horse race in the battle to succeed Dan Carter as All Blacks fly-half.Beauden Barrett was the back-up No 10 at the World Cup but Aaron Cruden has returned from the knee injury that saw him miss the tournament, while Lima Sopoaga steered the Highlanders to Super Rugby glory last season.Aaron Cruden has got silky skills and has played for the All Blacks for a number of years, said Gopperth. He was unlucky with his injury before the World Cup. Beauden Barrett had a great World Cup and it was a great way to finish with a try in the final.Lima Sopoaga came on the scene last year, on the back of the Highlanders doing really well. He is a gifted ball player and a great goalkicker.Losing Dan Carter, and given that the goalkicking of the other two is a bit come and go, Sopoaga could be the dark horse. Watch the Blues v Highlanders and Brumbies v Hurricanes live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Friday from 6am. Catch both matches for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract. Also See: New Zealand Conference preview Australia Conference preview South Africa Conferences preview Super Rugby fixtures Tracy Mcgrady Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Norman Powell Raptors Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Serge-Ibaka-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Jeremy Lin Jersey . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Patrick McCaw Raptors Jersey . The Hall of Fame defenceman told Landsberg that he believes fighting still has a place in todays game, but thinks staged fighting needs be outlawed. LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Makenzie Cann made six 3-pointers and scored 20 points and Evelyn Akhator had another double-double to lead No. 15 Kentucky to a 92-43 win over New Hampshire on Thursday.Akhator had 17 points and 11 rebounds, her fourth-straight double-double dating back to last season. Victoria Dunlap was the last Wildcat with four straight, dating back to January 2009. The record is seven by Eleia Roddy that same season.Cann, a transfer from Cincinnati, is the first Wildcat since ADia Mathies in March 2013 wiith six 3s, finishing three points shy of her career high with the Bearcats.ddddddddddddKentucky (3-0) took control with a 27-11 advantage in the second quarter for a 44-20 lead at the half and then outscored New Hampshire 30-9 in the third quarter.Kentucky shot 52 percent (36 of 69) for the game, including 12 of 25 behind the arc while holding New Hampshire to 24 percent (15 of 62). ' ' '