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Young stars return to Hurricanes lineup to face Moana Pasifika in mid-week clash
The Hurricanes have named an overhauled side from the one that lost to the Crusaders on Saturday ahead of their rematch with Moana Pasifika in Wellington on Tuesday.
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Just three days after their controversial 24-21 Super Rugby Pacific defeat at Sky Stadium, the Hurricanes will face off against one of the competition’s newcomers, who beat them in their first encounter at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland last month.
Heading into this week’s rematch on the back of three consecutive losses, the Hurricanes will undoubtedly be eager to snap their winless streak and redeem themselves for their extra-time defeat at the hands of Moana Pasifika two-and-a-half weeks ago.
The team head coach Jason Holland has named in a bid to achieve those feats is vastly different from the side he rolled out against the Crusaders, with numerous headline names absent from the match day squad.
All in all, 13 changes have been made to the starting team, with hooker James O’Reilly and wing Wes Goosen the sole survivors from the Crusaders match as he retains his place in the middle of the front row.
O’Reilly will be accompanied by props Alex Fidow and Tevita Mafileo, who replace Pouri Rakete-Stones and Tyrel Lomax, respectively.
Isaia Walker-Leawere and Tom Parsons pair up in the second row at the expense of James Blackwell and Scott Scrafton, while captain Reed Prinsep, Blacke Gibson and Devan Flanders fill the voids of TK Howden, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Ardie Savea in the loose forwards.
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An entirely new backline will be spearheaded by veteran halfback TJ Perenara and prodigious youngster Aidan Morgan, both of whom return to the halves after having started there in the Hurricanes’ first match against Moana Pasifika.
One-test All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen and Bailyn Sullivan replace Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor to create a new-look midfield combination, while Salesi Rayasi and Ruben Love have returned to the starting lineup alongside Goosen in the outside backs.
The selection of Rayasi on the wing and Love at fullback comes after questions were raised by media last week following the exclusion of both players from the team that faced the Crusaders.
Rayasi is seen by many as a standout performer for the Hurricanes, while Love is regarded as a future star of the franchise, but Holland has been careful in how often he selects both players.
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Rayasi and Love now have the chance to prove their worth in this mid-week clash, a fixture that could see two Hurricanes debutants from the bench.
Uncapped front rowers Kianu Kereru-Symes and Jared Proffit have both been named in the reserves alongside prop Pasilio Tosi, who made his Hurricanes debut against the Crusaders.
Others on the bench include lock Justin Sangster, halfback Cam Roigard, midfielder Teihorangi Walden and outside back Josh Moorby, as well as Howden.
Kick-off for Tuesday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Hurricanes team to face Moana Pasifika
1. Alex Fidow
2. James O’Reilly
3. Tevita Mafileo
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere
5. Tom Parsons
6. Reed Prinsep (c)
7. Blake Gibson
8. Devan Flanders
9. TJ Perenara
10. Aidan Morgan
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen
13. Bailyn Sullivan
14. Wes Goosen
15. Ruben Love
Reserves
16. Kianu Kereru-Symes
17. Jared Proffit
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Justin Sangster
20. TK Howden
21. Cam Roigard
22. Teihorangi Walden
23. Josh Moorby
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments