Hurricanes suffer playmaker blow, experiment with loose trio for Tahs

After losing starting first five-eighth Brett Cameron to an ACL injury prior to the season, the Hurricanes have now lost breakout playmaking talent Harry Godfrey for six weeks.

The 22-year-old is expected to be sidelined until round 14 with a leg injury, paving the way for Riley Hohepa to start in the No. 10 jersey when his side host a Waratahs side growing in confidence after an impressive win over the Brumbies in round six.

There are various other reshuffles across the matchday 23 from the team that beat the Highlanders two weeks ago now, including in the front row, where All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax will make their first starts of the season. The pair join Xavier Numia, who retains his familiar No. 1 jersey.

The second row from the Highlanders win is also retained, with Caleb Delany and Zach Gallagher backed up by Isaia Walker-Leawere on the bench.

The loose forwards see some movement, with the explosive Brayden Iose moved to the blindside flank, replacing co-captain Brad Shields, who has been named on the bench. Iose’s inclusion completes an explosive loose forward trio with Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai.

Cam Roigard will help steer the ship, alongside Hohepa, in the halves, feeding a reshuffled midfield that sees Bailyn Sullivan switch places with Peter Umaga-Jensen to start at 12, moving the one-time All Black to 13.

The punishing wing pairing of Kini Naholo and Ngatungane Punivai have again been named to start and will be complemented with the pace and playmaking of Ruben Love at fullback.

Two electric outside backs in Fatafehi Fineanganofo and Kade Banks have also been named on the bench, raising questions over Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw’s substitution tactics. Will we see Ruben Love move into the 10 role late in this contest?

“We have quite a consistent selection for the 23 this week,” the coach said. “There is great energy in the group coming off a bye week. We are clear on a few areas that we need to improve after our first block of games and really looking forward to our second game at SKY Stadium for this season.”

“The Waratahs have had a good season so far and they look like they know what type of team they want to be. They have a big forward pack and they’re super direct. It’ll be a big challenge, but we’re excited for it and can’t wait to play this Friday.”

Hurricanes team to play the Waratahs

1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua (Co-Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Caleb Delany
5. Zach Gallagher
6. Brayden Iose
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Co-Captain)
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cam Roigard
10. Riley Hohepa
11. Kini Naholo
12. Bailyn Sullivan
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen
14. Ngatungane Punivai
15. Ruben Love

IMPACT

16. Jacob Devery
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Tevita Mafileo
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere
20. Brad Shields
21. Jordi Viljoen
22. Fatafehi Fineanganofo
23. Kade Banks