50 up for Umaga-Jensen & Rakete-Stones

Peter Umaga-Jensen & Pouri Rakete-Stones set to bring up 50 games for the Hurricanes 

The Hurricanes are back at SKY Stadium for Round 9 vs the Crusaders and an amazing spectacle is planned for fans on and off the field. The Kubota “Light the Night” show will be a highlight with fireworks & a light show at halftime. There will be giveaways for fans meaning there is something to entertain everyone. The tight competition this season will see fans sitting on the edge of their seats in the Captial this Friday night.  

The Crusaders return to New Zealand after a tough trip to Fiji last weekend.  The Hurricanes have a settled side with only one change from the Blues game, with powerful hooker Raymond Tuputupu coming onto the bench.  

Wainuiomata born, Peter Umaga-Jensen and Hawkes Bay’s, Pouri Rakete-Stones are both set for their 50^th cap on Saturday night. Rakete-Stones made his debut against the Stormers in Cape Town in 2020, and Umaga-Jensen debuted against the Reds in Wellington in 2018. Umaga- Jensen went on to be capped by the All Blacks in 2020. Brad Shields will also make his 120th appearance to equal, Assistant Coach, Cory Jane in ninth place on the all-time list of Super Rugby matches played for the Hurricanes. 

Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said “We were disappointed with certain aspects of our game against the Blues, but we’ve picked another consistent team because at this point in the season, we want to give this team a real opportunity to succeed.”   

“It’s a big game at home. We know the Crusaders have been playing well. They are team full of All Blacks and international rugby players. We're really excited by the challenge, and we’ll need to play well to match them. Then we head to Australia for a couple weeks. So, we’re looking forward to playing at home. It’ll be an exciting evening planned for fans and we can’t wait to see the bright lights and the fireworks.”  

1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua (Co Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Caleb Delany
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Brayden Iose
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Co Captain)
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cam Roigard
10. Riley Hohepa
11. Kini Naholo
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen (50^th Cap)
13. Bailyn Sullivan
14. Ngatungane Punivai
15. Ruben Love 

IMPACT 

1. Raymond Tuputupu
2. Pouri Rakete-Stones (50^th Cap)
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Will Tucker
5. Brad Shields
6. Ereatara Enari
7. Callum Harkin
8. Fatafehi Fineanganofo 

UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY