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Julian Savea to captain Hurricanes in pre-season clash against Blues

By Alex McLeod
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks wing Julian Savea has been named to captain the Hurricanes in their pre-season clash against the Blues in Wellington on Sunday.

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The match, which was originally meant to be played in Warkworth but was re-scheduled twice due to implications brought on by Covid, will see the Hurricanes blend youth and experience in their first hit-out of the year.

As the only capped All Black in the starting lineup, Savea stands as the most experienced figure in the side, which features a raft of debutants.

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Among the newbies are Southland fullback Josh Moorby and Wellington lock Caleb Delany, both of whom are fully-contracted squad members, as well as last year’s New Zealand U20 representatives Riley Higgins and Peter Lakai.

Tonga hooker Siua Maile joins Savea as the only other international in the run-on XV, although one-test All Blacks midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen and 2015 World Cup winner Nehe Milner-Skudder have both been named on the bench.

Milner-Skudder’s inclusion in the 34-man match-day squad means he will turn out for the Hurricanes for the first time in four years after missing the 2019 Super Rugby campaign due to injury before joining the Highlanders between 2020 and 2021.

2021 New Zealand U20 representative Aidan Morgan, who will provide support for highly-touted starting first-five Ruben Love, and former Chiefs utility back Bailyn Sullivan headline the debutants in the reserves.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the guys get out there and test everything we have been doing over the past few weeks. Everyone will get a run. We have 39 odd players who will all get time,” Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland said in a statement.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee added that it was disappointing that the fixture will be played behind closed doors due to Covid safety regulations ahead of the relocation of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Pacific teams to Queenstown.

“It’s disappointing not to be able to welcome fans and members, but with the guys heading to Queenstown, it was a necessary decision.”

The match is scheduled to kick-off at Rugby League Park at 12:30pm on Sunday.

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Hurricanes team to play Blues

1. Xavier Numia
2. Siua Maile
3. Ben May
4. Tom Parsons
5. Caleb Delany
6. Peter Lakai
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Devan Flanders
9. Logan Henry
10. Ruben Love
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Riley Higgins
13. Billy Proctor
14. Julian Savea (c)
15. Josh Moorby

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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