Strong Hurricanes side named for Carlos Spencer's homecoming

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a 38-strong squad for Saturday night’s Super Rugby preseason match against the defending champion Crusaders.

The match, one of two preseason fixtures scheduled before the Hurricanes open their Super Rugby campaign against the Waratahs in Sydney on February 16, will provide Plumtree with a great opportunity to see how the players have progressed since they started their conditioning work back in November.

Former Highlanders playmaker Fletcher Smith will start at first five-eighth outside halfback Finlay Christie while the midfield has an exciting look to it with Vince Aso and Matt Proctor selected.

Ben Lam, who really impressed last season scoring a record 16 tries, is on one wing with Wes Goosen on the other.

The match will feature rolling substitutions and will be played over two 40 minute halves.

The reserves bench features a mix of Hurricanes squad members and players who have been training with the group after impressing in the Mitre 10 Cup and national under-19 tournament.

The pre-season match will also see new Hurricanes assistant coach Carlos Spencer return to his hometown where he was expecting plenty of support.

“I’ve been down to the domain to have a look and I can’t believe how good the ground is looking, it’s the best I’ve ever seen it,” he said.

The Hurricanes squad to face the Crusaders is:

15. Chase Tiatia
14. Wes Goosen
13. Matt Proctor
12. Vince Aso
11. Ben Lam
10. Fletcher Smith
9. Finlay Christie
8. Gareth Evans
7. Sam Henwood
6. Reed Prinsep
5. Geoff Cridge
4. James Blackwell
3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen
2. Ricky Riccitelli
1. Toby Smith
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua
17. James O’Reilly
18. Kianu Kereru-Symes
19. Ben May
20. Chris Eves
21. Alex Fidow
22. Fraser Armstrong
23. Xavier Numia
24. Isaia Walker-Leawere
25. Liam Mitchell
26. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
27. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
28. Du’Plessis Kirifi
29. Devan Flanders
30. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
31. Jono Hickey
32. Carlos Price
33. Jackson Garden-Bachop
34. Danny Toala
35. Billy Proctor
36. Jonah Lowe
37. Salesi Rayasi
38. Callum Harkin

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