Hurricanes team to face the Blues
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The Hurricanes have named their side to for their round nine Super Rugby Pacific match against the Blues in Wellington on Saturday.
Coming into this week’s top-of-the-table encounter following last week’s bye, minimal changes have been made to the Hurricanes lineup from the side that defeated the Reds 52-14 a fortnight ago.
One of those alterations comes up front, where Pasilio Tosi starts at tighthead prop alongside fellow front rowers Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua.
The remainder of the forward pack remains unchanged, with Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns retained in the second row, while blindside flanker Devan Flanders, co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi, and No 8 Peter Lakai make up the loose forward trio.
In the backline, halfback Cam Roigard and first-five Ruben Love continue their halves partnership, as do co-captain Jordie Barrett and centre Billy Proctor in the midfield.
The only other change in the starting side comes in the outside backs, where Callum Harkin returns from a concussion to start at fullback. That pushes Josh Moorby to the right wing, while Fehi Fineangnanofo stays at left wing.
Further changes in the reserves means hooker Raymond Tuputupu is in line to make his first appearance of the season. He joins tighthead prop Tevita Mafileo and loose forward Brad Shields as the new figures on the bench.
Loosehead prop Siale Lauaki, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, loose forward Brayden Iose, halfback Ereatara Enari, and midfielder Jone Rova have all kept their places in the reserves.
“We’re refreshed and re-energised from the bye, so we’re really looking forward to playing at home against a top side in the Blues. It's a good challenge at this time of the year to get into another Kiwi derby,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“We’ve picked a really settled team for the most part. We’ve got a couple of injuries from the last game, but we feel our cohesion and combinations can get us a performance we’re after.
“We’re certainly well aware of the challenge the Blues are going to come with, so we’re probably going to have to play our best rugby of the year to get the result.”
HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY BLUES (Hurricanes caps in brackets)
- Xavier Numia (82)
- Asafo Aumua (81)
- Pasilio Tosi (43)
- Caleb Delany (44)
- Warner Dearns (6)
- Devan Flanders (62)
- Du’Plessis Kirifi (97) – co-captain
- Peter Lakai (42)
- Cam Roigard (53)
- Ruben Love (46)
- Fehi Fineanganofo (18)
- Jordie Barrett (117) – co-captain
- Billy Proctor (73)
- Josh Moorby (44)
- Callum Harkin (15)
- Raymond Tuputupu (17)
- Siale Lauaki (9)
- Tevita Mafileo (62)
- Isaia Walker-Leawere (83)
- Brad Shields (133)
- Brayden Iose (57)
- Ereatara Enari (17)
- Jone Rova (5)
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY
Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 7 weeks
Hugo Plummer (ankle): 3 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 4-6 weeks
Matolu Petaia (leg): 2 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 2-4 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Ngane Punivai (hamstring): 2-3 weeks
Bailyn Sullivan (leg): 4-5 weeks
Kini Naholo (foot): 2-3 weeks
