Hurricanes shuffle deck for Highlanders, former NZ U20 captain to debut

Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw has reinstated several starters and named a potential debutant on the bench for his side’s visit to Dunedin.

After watching his side rise to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table with a 31-23 win over the Force in Napier, Laidlaw has opted to promote the bench unit that made such a powerful impact in the win.

That unit includes regular starters Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Warner Dearns, while Ruben Love is also named for his first start of the season after playing the second half on Saturday in his season debut. Love’s return sees Callum Harkin shift to fullback.

In the loose forward trio, Du’Plessis Kirifi drops to the bench, with Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai coming back in to join the in-form Devan Flanders.

The other big return to the run-on side is Billy Proctor, who sat out the Force win, and will resume his midfield partnership with Hurricanes captain Jordie Barrett.

“We’re really excited to go down to Dunedin for our first Kiwi derby,” coach Laidlaw said.

“We’ve been really impressed with the Highlanders and the intensity they’ve played at. We understand, going down there, it’s a really big game and an opportunity to test ourselves against a team that’s played well over the past couple of weeks.

“We got through last week with a little bit of rotation, but we’ve obviously picked the strongest team that we can. With the type of game we think it’s going to be, we’ve gone with a 6-2 split. They’ve been doing that bit, so we feel with a 6-2 split, we’ll have plenty of energy through the whole game.”

The coach has also named former New Zealand U20 captain Vernon Bason for a potential debut off the bench. The 21-year-old hooker is the oldest of an emerging New Zealand powerhouse sibling cohort, with younger brother Mosese in the Hurricanes’ wider training group and younger sister Taufa already a Super Rugby Aupiki champion and Black Ferns XV representative.

“It’s a big day for Vernon on the bench,” Laidlaw said.

“We’re really excited. He’s a player who’s come through our pathway, has been training with us for over a year, and is as ready as he’s going to be to get out there and make his debut, so that’s really exciting for him and his family.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

16

32

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Hurricanes team to play the Highlanders

1. Xavier Numia (80)
2. Asafo Aumua (79)
3. Pasilio Tosi (41)
4. Caleb Delany (42)
5. Warner Dearns (4)
6. Devan Flanders (60)
7. Peter Lakai (40)
8. Brayden Iose (55)
9. Cam Roigard (51)
10. Ruben Love (44)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (16)
12. Jordie Barrett (115) – captain
13. Billy Proctor (71)
14. Josh Moorby (42)
15. Callum Harkin (14)

Reserves

16. Vernon Bason (debut)
17. Siale Lauaki (7)
18. Tevita Mafileo (60)
19. Hugo Plummer (10)
20. Brad Shields (132)
21. Du’Plessis Kirifi (95)
22. Ereatara Enari (15)
23. Bailyn Sullivan (44)

Injury list

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 1-3 weeks
Isaia Walker-Leawere (concussion): 1 week
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 4 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 5-7 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Josh Timu (foot): 3-5 weeks
Ngane Punivai (hamstring): TBC
Kini Naholo (foot): 2-4 weeks