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Super Rugby Pacific

Clark Laidlaw opts for consistency as All Black bolter benched

Henry Lee

Published: 28 April 2026 21:00 PDT
Updated: 28 April 2026 20:50 PDT

Devan Flanders and Pasilio Tosi of the Hurricanes celebrate the win during the round five Super Rugby match between Hurricanes and Western Force at McLean Park, on March 13, 2026, in Napier, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has made minimal changes to his match-day 23 for this weekend’s clash against the Crusaders in Wellington.

The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive win against the Brumbies at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium, which has given Laidlaw some headaches over selections.

There are four changes, with last week’s bench front row, All Black duo Pasilio Tosi and Asafo Aumua, plus Xavier Numia, returning to the starting lineup for the round twelve matchup.

Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns continue in the second row, while the loose-forward trio has been shifted around to accommodate Brayden Iose moving to No.6, moving Peter Lakai to N0.8.

Last week’s milestone man, Du’Plessis Kirifi, keeps his spot at N0.7, as do Cameron Roigard and Ruben Love.

Love will make his 50th Hurricanes appearance against the Crusaders at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, after the club last week celebrated Kirifi’s 100th game for the Wellington-based franchise.

The backline from last week’s contest against the Brumbies is unchanged, days after star winger Fehi Fineanganofo scored his third hat-trick in 2026, the most ever in a Super Rugby Pacific season.

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Despite enjoying the week at Super Round in Christchurch against the Brumbies, the squad are motivated for another Kiwi derby this Friday.

“We’re delighted to be back home after playing in Christchurch last week. It’s really nice to bring the Crusaders up here and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against last year’s champions,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“Last week was an amazing occasion, but we can’t wait to get into another Kiwi derby and play at home for our second-last round-robin home match. We’re lucky to pick a really cohesive team from the last couple of weeks. We think that gives us our best chance of success this week.”

On the special occasion for the Hurricanes’ first-five, Laidlaw said the franchise is really enjoying what Love is bringing to the squad at No.10.

“It almost snuck up on me. He feels young to be playing 50 games, but it’s a great milestone for him as he continues to develop and mature. We’re really loving what he’s doing as a No 10 this year and he’s playing really well.”

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY CRUSADERS (Hurricanes caps in brackets)

Xavier Numia (85)
Asafo Aumua (84)
Pasilio Tosi (46)
Caleb Delany (47)
Warner Dearns (9)
Brayden Iose (60)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (100) – co-captain
Peter Lakai (45)
Cam Roigard (56)
Ruben Love (50th match)
Fehi Fineanganofo (21)
Jordie Barrett (120) – co-captain
Billy Proctor (76)
Josh Moorby (47)
Callum Harkin (18)
Raymond Tuputupu (19)
Siale Lauaki (11)
Tevita Mafileo (65)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (85)
Brad Shields (136)
Devan Flanders (65)
Ereatara Enari (20)
Jone Rova (8)

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 4 weeks
Hugo Plummer (ankle): 1 week
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 1-3 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 1 week
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
Josh Timu (ankle): Week-to-week

Comments

5 Comments

Rick Clark 89 days ago

As a Saders fan I’m loving our road to the Finals. We will have to earn it. If we beat the Canes at home this weekend there there will be seriously squeaky bums on seats in the North Island. A Crusaders team with their tales on a role headed to the semi finals must be a scary prospect.

Blackadder back this weekend Scooter next weekend Reece Fihaki back in the next 2 weeks and Jordan back for Semis 🤞🏽

But it all depends on the game this weekend.

OutRun22 89 days ago

Laidlaws doing that basically to get as much x factor as possible playing but make no mistake Laki isn’t a 8 hes a 7 and Iose is a proper number 8 and has the most x factor out of any loosie around speed to burn. Laki should be starting over little shrimp kirfi at 7 who wont be an all black again hes too short. Flanders should be starting at 6 but hes just doing that to get gain from the bench. At home be a good win for the saders away from their new little nestegg stadium . Hurricanes should win but they will have to bring their A game for the full 80

cnw 89 days ago

Kirifi, Lose, Lakai must be the most mobile loosie combo in the SR. Its suggests a “blow the Saders off the Park” strategy in the first 40. Then a 6-2 bench comprised of two biggish loosies to keep the foot on the throat makes some sence. Perhaps also Kirifi might be subbed, with Lakai moving to 7?

Bazzallina 90 days ago

Tuputupu performance on WE was really promising for Canes think topped tackle count for match in just over a half of rugby and only 1 lost throw has always been strong on carry and seemed to go well at scrumtime Laidlaw shouldn’t hesitate to insert him if Aumua gets gassed or just looking for something off bench.

Big match for Numia going up against Newell holding his own will go a long way I believe to making a ABs 23 in any of first 3 tests of the year

cnw 89 days ago

Yes Tuputupu really stood out - early days but he could be a bolter for SA tour if he keeps to this level.

And really looking forward to match up between Numia and Newell. NZ really needs another top loosehead who can cope with the pressure from a top tighthead. Be good to see Newell tested too.

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