Hurricanes make eight changes for Eden Park visit, Du'Plessis Kirifi ruled out

Du’Plessis Kirifi will miss the Hurricanes’ round 14 showdown with the Blues at Eden Park with a short-term knee complaint, while Kini Naholo returns to the starting team after a two-try supersub showing off the bench last week against Moana Pasifika.

Those are the changes that headline the table-leaders’ team naming this week, while a number of premier players return to the matchday 23 after sitting out the Moana Pasifika win.

That includes Ruben Love, who is back at No.10, Warner Dearns in the second row, Peter Lakai in the loose forwards, and both Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua up front.

Naholo’s return on the left wing sees Fehi Fineanganofo shift to the right wing and Josh Moorby, who scored four tries last Saturday, drop out of the matchday 23.

The Canes will play their second straight game in Auckland with this weekend’s fixture, and are well aware what’s on the line.

“We’re looking forward to going up to Eden Park and playing the Blues. It’s another top-three game that can go a long way to securing the right for home playoffs, if good enough, so we’re well aware of that,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“We’re also well aware of the threat that the Blues possess. I’m sure they’re highly motivated about the opportunity to beat us and continue that fight for the top two. It’s going to be a highly physical and exciting game, and we’re really looking forward to it.”

The coach also took a moment to congratulate Caleb Delany on being named for his 50th game, and Cory Jane, who is set to become the first person to both play and coach 100 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes.

“CD has become an integral part of the club. He’s a top performer for us,” Laidlaw said of Delany.

“The bandwidth between his top game and another game is really small. He plays consistently well every week and has become a total mainstay in this team. His maturity and consistency are big reasons why we’re playing well, so we look forward to him joining the 50 club.

“It’s also CJ’s 100th Hurricanes game as a coach. It was announced yesterday that he’s re-signed with the club and it’s another little milestone that we’re bloody proud of for him.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

25

29

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

Hurricanes team to play the Blues

1. Xavier Numia (87)
2. Asafo Aumua (85)
3. Pasilio Tosi (48)
4. Caleb Delany (50th match)
5. Warner Dearns (10)
6. Brad Shields (138)
7. Peter Lakai (46)
8. Devan Flanders (67)
9. Ereatara Enari (22)
10. Ruben Love (50)
11. Kini Naholo (33)
12. Jordie Barrett (121) – captain
13. Billy Proctor (78)
14. Fehi Fineanganofo (23)
15. Callum Harkin (20)

Reserves

16. Raymond Tuputupu (21)
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (57)
18. Siale Lauaki (13)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (87)
20. Brayden Iose (62)
21. Jordi Viljoen (7)
22. Jone Rova (10)
23. Bailyn Sullivan (47)

Injury list

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 2 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 1 week
Du’Plessis Kirifi (knee): 1 week
Arese Poliko (concussion): 1 week
Cam Roigard (calf): 2-3 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC