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Brad Shields returns as Hurricanes make 14 changes in starting XV for Rebels
By Ned Lester
The Hurricanes' depth is proving to be perhaps the best in Super Rugby Pacific as the Wellington team deals with injury, suspension and All Blacks rest requirements while forging ahead with an undefeated record.
This week, that record is again on the line against the Rebels, and the team will be without influential halfback Cam Roigard. Veteran All Black TJ Perenara will step into the No. 9 jersey for the contest, a familiar role for the 150-cap Hurricane.
Thankfully, returning to the starting XV will be Jordie Barrett, having served his suspension for a red card against the Reds. Also returning to the starting unit is Duplessis Kirifi, who will be joined in the loose forwards by new captain Brad Shields in a season debut.
Shields' return after a five-year stint in Europe has been eagerly awaited, and his has proven to be a timely signing given the squad is missing previous key leaders in Ardie Savea and Dane Coles.
The rest of the starting XV is also riddled with changes, with All Black Tyrel Lomax the only player named to start this week after featuring in last round's win over the Crusaders.
“We’ve had to make some changes because some of the boys have got some niggles. We also want to let the boys who haven’t had a game this year find their feet. They’ve been training well, and they deserve an opportunity to play. It also shows the quality we have in our depth to be able to call on these players and we’re really happy with that,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“It’s also really good to have Brad back. We’ve certainly been in and out with some of our loose forwards with injuries, but he’s itching to get started after training fully now for a couple of weeks. He not only provides a strong running and defensive game but exceptional leadership as well.”
Palmerston North will play host to the Friday night contest.
“We love playing up in Palmy,” Laidlaw added.
“We have a long history of playing there and we have a contingent of Manawat? boys in our squad, so we’re looking forward to heading up there on Thursday and getting amongst the community with our open training session and school visits and then playing on Friday.”
Hurricanes team to face Rebels
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- James O’Reilly
- Tyrel Lomax
- Justin Sangster
- Caleb Delany
- Brad Shields (Captain)
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Devan Flanders
- TJ Perenara
- Aidan Morgan
- Salesi Rayasi
- Jordie Barrett
- Ngane Punivai (Debut)
- Daniel Sinkinson
- Harry Godfrey
Replacements:
- Asafo Aumua
- Tevita Mafileo
- Pasilio Tosi
- James Tucker
- Brayden Iose
- Richard Judd
- Riley Higgins
- Josh Moorby
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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