Thursday Round-Up

Harris set for debut: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named hooker Nathan Harris amongst his set of replacements for this weekend’s test against Argentina in La Plata, with the hooker now set to make his debut in Saturday’s clash. Originally expected to make his first appearance in the famous black jersey next week, Harris has been called upon a week early, as regular hooker Dane Coles returns home early to attend to the birth of his first child. Despite expecting to be available for this weekend’s away fixture in Argentina, Coles’ partner Sarah went into labour early and the Hurricanes no.2 flew home immediately to tend to the birth. In the absence of Coles, veteran hooker Keven Mealamu starts in the middle of the front row, with Harris named on the replacements bench. Elsewhere, after Aaron Cruden’s Auckland escapades over the course of last weekend, the Chiefs man is replaced by Beauden Barrett in the ten jersey, while Malakai Fekitoa gets the nod at 12, due to the absence of experienced midfielder Ma’a Nonu. Upfront, second rower Sam Whitelock returns to the engine room, having recovered from a rib cartilage injury picked up during the return clash at McLean Park, while Jerome Kaino is named on the blindside after overcoming a hyper extended elbow. All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw will this weekend equal Colin Meads’ record of 133 games for New Zealand in La Plata.

No Rush for Eli: Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy has insisted he has no intentions of rushing winger Eli Walker back into Guinness Pro12 action, as the Welshman looks to recover from a shoulder injury. After sustaining bruising to the bone in and around his shoulder blade in the recent clash with the Dragons, Walker was forced to sit out last weekend’s demolition job of Edinburgh, with both replacement wingers, along with substitute winger Tom Grabham, all featuring on the scoresheet. Despite his personal eagerness to return to the field, head clash Steve Tandy understands the injury must be monitored and has admitted that the 22 year old is touch and go for this weekend’s clash with Munster at Thomond Park.

Ryan Sheady