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Hurricanes' loose forward depth tested as Jordie Barrett named for 100th cap
The Hurricanes have made four changes to their side to face the Queensland Reds on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne in what will be Jordie Barrett’s 100th appearance for the club.
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Jordie Barrett will join brother Beauden in the Hurricanes centurion club and will become the 16th in franchise history alongside legends like Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, and Tana Umaga.
The All Blacks midfielder will continue his combination with centre Billy Proctor and he has been named to start at second five-eighth for the special game.
“It’s a huge achievement for Jordie and his family to join the 100 club alongside Beauden. He’s a proud Hurricane and we’re super proud of him and how he plays the game and how he’s taken to the leadership role with both hands. He’s got a great attitude, and it will be a special day,” head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard will get his first start of the season, named at No 9 in place of last week’s debutant Jordi Viljoen. Roigard managed 31 minutes of action against the Force. Partnering Roigard in the halves is Brett Cameron who has been named to start at first five-eighth again.
In the outside backs, blockbusting winger Kini Naholo has been named on the left wing, electric Ruben Love is at fullback and Josh Moorby has been named on the right wing. Riley Higgins and Salesi Rayasi have been named as cover on the bench.
Injuries have forced changes to the back row with Devan Flanders and Du’Plessis Kirifi ruled out. With captain Brad Shields still on the sidelines, the loose forwards depth is being tested early in the season.
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Braydon Iose has been named in the starting side at No 8, forcing Peter Lakai to openside while TK Howden at blindside forms the loose forward trio. Reserve flanker Veveni Lasaqa has been named on the bench for a potential debut.
“You never want to start your season losing two or three players in the same position. But we’re excited and comfortable giving some of the guys an opportunity as we have some depth in the loose forwards area, so we’re excited to see them go out and play,” Laidlaw said.
Up front All Black tighthead Tyrel Lomax returns to form a powerful starting front row with Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua. Pasilio Tosi returns to the bench with James O’Reilly and Pouri Rakete-Stones.
In the second row Caleb Delany partners Isaia Walker-Leaware again while Justin Sangster deputises on the bench.
Hurricanes team to play the Queensland Reds
1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua (cc)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Caleb Delany
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. TK Howden
7. Peter Lakai
8. Brayden Iose
9. Cam Roigard
10. Brett Cameron
11. Kini Naholo
12. Jordie Barrett (cc) (100th game)
13. Billy Proctor
14. Josh Moorby
15. Ruben Love
Replacements
16. James O’Reilly
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Justin Sangster
20. Veveni Lasaqa (Debut)
21. Jordi Viljoen
22. Riley Higgins
23. Salesi Rayasi
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments