Hurricanes rotate five heavy-hitters against Highlanders

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has opted to rotate his squad against the Highlanders as his men prepare for the playoffs.

Try-scoring machine Fehi Fineanganofo is one of the rested players this week, and while he picked up a mild injury in last week’s win over the Blues, he is not listed on this week’s injury report.

Billy Proctor, Xavier Numia, Callum Harkin, Caleb Delany and Brad Shields are also absent from both the team sheet and injury list.

The additions to the matchday squad include potential debutant Tom Allen, who is providing second-row cover on the bench, while Ngane Punivai and Bailyn Sullivan are set to start after injury-plagued seasons.

“Tom got a huge reception at the team meeting. The boys are super excited for him,” Laidlaw said of his 21-year-old lock.

“He’s been training and toiling away for the past couple of years without getting an opportunity, so we’re proud of him, and the work and patience and resilience that he’s shown. When he gets on the field, we can’t wait to welcome him to the club.”

Hurricanes fans will be happy to see just one week remaining on the expected return timelines for both Cam Roigard and Tyrel Lomax. In their respective places, Ere Enari enjoyed one of the best games in his nine-year Super Rugby career last weekend and will again run out in the No.9 jersey this week, while Pasilio Tosi will celebrate his 50th game for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders. Outside back Josh Moorby is also in line to play his 50th, and has been named to start at fullback for the occasion.

“We’re really looking forward to our last round-robin game at home after being on the road up in Auckland,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“We’re expecting the Highlanders to come swinging. We thought, for large parts, they did really well against the Chiefs last week, and we didn’t really feel like the scoreline represented how the game looked, so we’ll need to put in a good performance and play well to get the win.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

24 - 47

17 - 50

38 - 31

45 - 12

22 - 17

42 - 12

31 - 26

24 - 14

27 - 17

47 - 40

4

Wins

2

4

Streak

1

30

Tries Scored

17

91

Points Difference

-32

4/5

First Try

4/5

4/5

First Points

4/5

5/5

Race To 10 Points

1/5

Hurricanes team to play the Highlanders

1. Siale Lauaki (14)
2. Asafo Aumua (86)
3. Pasilio Tosi (50th match)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (88)
5. Warner Dearns (11)
6. Devan Flanders (68)
7. Peter Lakai (47)
8. Brayden Iose (63)
9. Ereatara Enari (23)
10. Ruben Love (51)
11. Kini Naholo (34)
12. Jordie Barrett (122) – co-captain
13. Bailyn Sullivan (48)
14. Ngane Punivai (16)
15. Josh Moorby (50th match)

Reserves

16. Jacob Devery (22)
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (58)
18. Tevita Mafileo (66)
19. Tom Allen (debut)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (102) – co-captain
21. Jordi Viljoen (8)
22. Lucas Cashmore (4)
23. Jone Rova (11)

Injury list

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 1 week
Cam Roigard (calf): 1 week
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
Anaru Paenga-Morgan (concussion): 1-2 weeks
Drew Wild (shoulder): TBC
Josh Gray (calf): TBC