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Hurricanes welcome back stars for Brumbies clash
By Online Editors
Beauden Barrett has returned to the Hurricanes' starting lineup for their clash against the Brumbies in Palmerston North this weekend.
The addition of the mercurial 27-year-old playmaker is one of seven changes made to the side following two shaky outings to open their Super Rugby campaign, which includes the injection of All Blacks TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, Ardie Savea and Vaea Fifita into the starting side.
Jordie Barrett is among those to have missed the cut, with the 22-year-old utility back being left out as part of the All Blacks' Super Rugby resting policy for the World Cup.
Taking his place at fullback is Chase Tiatia, who is yet to experience Super Rugby action despite being part of the Chiefs squad in previous campaigns.
Veteran tighthead prop Ben May is the other change in the side, replacing Northampton-bound Jeff Toomaga-Allen, who has been demoted to the bench.
The array of alterations comes after the Hurricanes pipped the Waratahs 20-19 in a tight affair in their season-opener at Brookvale Oval in Sydney, before being thrashed by 38-22 by the Crusaders a week later in Christchurch.
Head coach John Plumtree said he expected his side to perform much more convincingly in their first home game of the year, with the return of their key players set to steer them back on track.
"We want to improve a lot of aspects of our play and hopefully we can do that in front of what will be a great crowd in Palmy," Plumtree said.
"We were really impressed with the performance the Brumbies put out last week so we know the scale of task ahead of us but it's a great challenge for the squad."
Hurricanes: 1. Chris Eves, 2. Dane Coles (c), 3. Ben May, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Liam Mitchell, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Matt Proctor, 14. Vince Aso, 15. Chase Tiatia
Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Reed Prinsep, 21. Richard Judd, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Wes Goosen
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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