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Dane Coles returns for Hurricanes’ clash with Crusaders
By Finn Morton
The Hurricanes have welcomed back legendary hooker Dane Coles for their highly anticipated blockbuster against the Crusaders on Saturday.
Currently sitting in fifth place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, the Hurricanes need to win their final regular season game if they’re any chance of hosting a quarterfinal next weekend.
All Blacks and Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles is back in the starting side, while rising star Ruben Love is also set to return via the bench.
“We’re excited to have Colesy back this weekend,” coach Jason Holland said.
“We’ve been really careful with him to make sure he’s 100 per cent when he comes back, and he’s got himself into a really good spot.
“It’s been a long road for Ruben, hasn’t it? He’s worked hiss way back and got confidence in that groin,” Holland added.
“He’s stepping around and looking fast and strong, so he’ll have some time off the bench this weekend.
“it’s been good to have him back in training and getting a feel for all our systems again.”
Tevita Mafileo, Dane Coles and Tyrel Lomax will pack down in the front row, while James Blackwell and Caleb Delany make up the rest of the tight five.
The formidable loose forward trio of Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi and captain Ardie Savea will combine once again this week.
Cam Roigard and Brett Cameron will start in the halves, while Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor will link up in the midfield.
Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson and Josh Moorby are the outside backs.
The match between the Hurricanes and Crusaders at Sky Stadium is set to get underway at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
The Junior Wallabies take on the Baby Blacks in the curtain raiser to this clash.
Hurricanes team to take on Crusaders
- Tevita Mafileo
- Dane Coles
- Tyrel Lomax
- James Blackwell
- Caleb Delany
- Devan Flanders
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Ardie Savea (c)
- Cam Roigard
- Brett Cameron
- Kini Naholo
- Jordie Barrett
- Billy Proctor
- Daniel Sinkinson
- Josh Moorby
Replacements:
- Jacob Devery
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- Owen Franks
- Justin Sangster
- Brayden Iose
- Jamie Booth
- Ruben Love
- Bailyn Sullivan
Unavailable for selection: Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, TJ Perenara, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea
Unavailable due to New Zealand Under 20s commitments: Siale Lauaki, Peter Lakai, Cooper Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Hunter Morrison, Harry Godfrey
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Latest Comments
This would be great news for England, but I would have doubts about whether he deserves a hybrid contract. He's not as good as Feyi-Waboso or Freeman, and he might be behind Roebuck and Sleightholme in the pecking order. Behind them Hendy and Elliott are probably at a similar level to Arundell.
Go to commentsNothing to do with fair or unfair for me. Purely about results & the manner in which the ABs were losing. I was optimistic in 2020 but only 3 wins from 6 tests played soon dented that. By the time Schmidt & Ryan were recruited in 2022, the ABs & Foster were a laughing stock & their win rate was in the toilet. Thankfully Schmidt & Ryan helped turn the ABs fortunes somewhat.
The biggest issue I had with Cane as Skipper was his absence for nearly 50% of tests played. Through injury. Buck Shelford wrote an article on this very issue in 2021, suggesting Cane should relinquish the captaincy & concentrate on availability when fit.
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