Ruben Love returns to 1st XV as Hurricanes make 7 changes for Brumbies
The Hurricanes have once again made a raft of changes to their starting side as they prepare to take on the Brumbies in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster in Canberra as part of ANZAC Round.
After getting the better of the always-tough Fijian Drua with a clinical performance in Suva last time out, the Hurricanes have switched their focus to the team’s 400th Super Rugby match.
Coach Clark Dermody has made seven changes to the run-on side. Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Brayden Iose, Brett Cameron and Ruben Love all return to the First XV.
Peter Umaga-Jensen is also set for his first start of the season after being named at outside centre as a replacement for the Canes’ consistent No. 13 Billy Proctor.
The Hurricanes battled the heat in Suva last week as they overcame a tough Drua outfit in Suva. This time, they’ll need to brace for cold conditions against a hungry Brumbies side.
“I was pleased with our prep for this week, the way the players and management have been able to adapt as we prepare for a new challenge each week,” Laidlaw said in a statement.
The Brumbies are third on the Super Rugby Pacific standings but will be eager to make amends after falling 46-7 in a disastrous defeat to the Blues at Auckland’s Eden Park last weekend.
Preparing for this challenge, the Canes have gone with the front row trio of Xavier Numia, James O’Reilly and Tyrel Lomax. Caleb Delany and Isaia Walker-Leawere round out the tight five.
Captain Brad Shields partners Du’Plessis Kirifi and Brayden Iose in the loose forwards, while TJ Perenara and Brett Cameron will look to link the forwards and backs as the halves.
Jordie Barrett will combine with Peter Umaga-Jensen in the midfield, while Salesi Rayasi, Kini Naholo and Ruben Love have been selected as the three outside backs.
As part of this ANZAC Round clash between the capital cities, the Hurricanes will lay a wreath at the New Zealand Memorial in Canberra on Friday.
“It’s a real honour for us to be invited to lay a wreath there,” Laidlaw explained. “It’s important for us to recognise and remember those lives lost and to continue the legacy of service.”
The Hurricanes highly anticipated meeting with the ACT Brumbies at Canberra’ GIO Stadium will get underway at 4:35 pm NZT on Saturday.
Hurricanes team to take on Brumbies
- Xavier Numia
- James O’Reilly
- Tyrel Lomax
- Caleb Delany
- Isaia Walker-Leawere
- Brad Shields (c)
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Brayden Iose
- TJ Perenara
- Brett Cameron
- Salesi Rayasi
- Jordie Barrett
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Kini Naholo
- Ruben Love
Replacements
- Raymond Tuputupu
- Tevita Mafileo
- Pasilio Tosi
- Ben Grant
- Peter Lakai
- Richard Judd
- Riley Higgins
- Bailyn Sullivan
Unavailable: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, TK Howden, Cam Roigard, James Tucker
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments