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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.
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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.
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“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.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments