Clark Laidlaw delivers update after Ruben Love spotted in moon boot

Hurricanes fans have been treated to some red-hot form from their side as the Wellington club has ascended to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table, but the sight of their young star fullback in a moon boot won’t be aiding the celebrations.

The Hurricanes are already dealing with the suspension of All Black Jordie Barrett, who will serve the third of his three-week ban this week – unless he has completed World Rugby’s coaching intervention program – in the matchup against the Rebels in Palmerston North.

While Riley Higgins has stepped in admirably for Barrett in the Hurricanes midfield and there is some quality depth in the outside backs as well, Canes fans have been left to fret over the health of Ruben Love. Thankfully, new coach Clarke Laidlaw revealed on Monday that the injury isn’t significant.

“Yeah, it’s just precautionary,” he told Newstalk ZB. “He had a sore ankle since the Blues game, so the moon boots are great little contraptions that take the weight off your foot and if he’s (been spotted) lying, sunning himself (watching football) then I’m sure he’s fine.

“He’s an example though, isn’t he? He’s played all preseason, he’s played big minutes so far. If we have to risk him or we don’t feel we have to risk him, as I said we’ll decide that in the next 24 hours.”

The Hurricanes team will be announced on Wednesday at 4 pm NZT. Laidlaw went on to reflect on recent selections and clarify what was influencing his selection decisions for the coming weeks.

“Not so much around winning and losing, we’ve got a lot of good players in the squad. So, we’ve been trying through injuries and suspension, there’s been a lot of change anyway. So that’s probably helped.

“Certainly up front, it’s allowed a natural rotation of players. In the backs, there are a few itching to get a run, so one (change) we will have is TJ (Perenara) will start this week. Cam (Roigard) is going to have a week off with his All Blacks rest. So, we’re certainly looking at that, we’ve got a few sore bodies from the weekend.

“We’ve trained this morning, we’ll catch up with the medical crew this afternoon to finalise the team.”