The numbers that say the Hurricanes can go back-to-back

The defending champions Hurricanes have made a record breaking start to the Super Rugby season.

And history shows it bodes well for their chances of going back-to-back.

Fox Sports Lab statistics reveal that coach Chris Boyd’s men have shattered the record books with their season opening demolition jobs on the Sunwolves (83-17) and Rebels (71-6).

The 154 points are the most ever scored in a two match span in the history of Super Rugby, and the 24 tries are the most by a team in a two match span.

The 66 and 65 point winning margins rank as the fourth and fifth biggest victories in competition history.

The Hurricanes’ +131 points differential is the largest ever through the opening two rounds, and they are the first side to score over 70 points twice in a season.

The Chiefs (2012-13) and the Bulls (2009-2010) were the last two sides to win back-to-back titles and there are some uncanny comparisons to the 2017 Hurricanes.

— Both the Chiefs and Bulls also scored at least 41 points in each of their opening two matches.

— Won with a bonus point in their opening two rounds.

— Restricted sides to three tries or less in the first two matches.

— The Bulls started the 2010 season scoring at least 48 points in four straight matches.

— And the Bulls were on top of the table for all but two of the 14 rounds in 2010.