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Departing star Ngani Laumape returns as Hurricanes make raft of changes for Rebels clash
The Hurricanes have welcomed back Ngani Laumape from a rest week ahead of their upcoming clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Wellington on Friday.
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Laumape was left out of the Hurricanes side that thumped the Waratahs 64-48 in Sydney last week, just days after it was announced that he will be leaving New Zealand to join Top 14 club Stade Francais in July.
After Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland confirmed his star man’s imminent move to France had nothing to do with his omission, the 28-year-old has since been recalled as one of 10 personnel changes to face off against the Rebels, who were beaten 50-3 by the Blues in Melbourne last Saturday.
Replacing one-test All Blacks midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen at second-five, Laumape will join Billy Proctor in the midfield and will form a new five-eighth combination with No 10 Orbyn Leger.
Leger comes into the side to replace the injured Ruben Love, who was taken from the field in a stretcher in the opening stages of last week’s win over the Waratahs due to a heavy head knock.
The talented 20-year-old has since been cleared of any serious damage, but he will stay on the sidelines for this week’s match at Sky Stadium.
Leger, who filled the first-five role in Love’s absence at the Sydney Cricket Ground, is one half of a new-look halves duo that features fellow Counties Manukau representative Jonathan Taumateine, who replaces Luke Campbell at halfback.
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The only other change in the backline comes on the left wing, where Wes Goosen comes into the side in place of the athletic Salesi Rayasi to create a back three comprised of Jordie Barrett and Julian Savea.
Up front, six-test All Blacks tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax takes the No 3 jersey off of Alex Fidow after he was demoted to the bench last week.
Scott Scrafton, meanwhile, comes into the second row, taking the place of lock Isaia Walker-Leawere in the only other alteration to the starting XV.
In the reserves, ex-Blues wing Lolagi Visinia has been called into the side for a potential debut, joining Fidow, halfback Cam Roigard, Maori All Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and one-test All Blacks loose forward Gareth Evans as the newbies on the bench.
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Holland said the vast number of changes comes as the coaching staff looks to maximise the potential throughout the entire playing squad.
“At the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa we made it clear to the squad that there will be opportunities for players to show what they can do and we are determined to create plenty of competition for positions as we work through the coming weeks,” he said.
“That’s created some real excitement in our squad and that’s been matched by the opportunity to be back playing in front of our fans.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm [NZT].
Hurricanes side to face the Melbourne Rebels
1. Xavier Numia
2. Dane Coles (c)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. James Blackwell
5. Scott Scrafton
6. Reed Prinsep
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Devan Flanders
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. Orbyn Leger
11. Wes Goosen
12. Ngani Lamuape
13. Billy Proctor
14. Julian Savea
15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves:
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Alex Fidow
19. Liam Mitchell
20. Braydon Iose
21. Gareth Evans
22. Cam Roigard
23. Lolagi Visinia
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Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments