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Dane Coles set for Hurricanes return against table-topping Sharks
By Online Editors
Dane Coles has been named in the 23-man squad set to take on the Sharks at Sky Stadium this Saturday.
It’s the first home game of the 2020 season and comes off the back of a 26 - 23 win against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Coles, who returns from injury, will start the game on the bench, but says he’s excited at the potential of getting in some game time.
“It’s been a while, but I’m feeling in good nick. I have been working hard to get back out there and I’m looking forward to having a run.”
He says coming back in time for ‘Opening Night’ is exciting.
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“We love getting out there in front of our fans at Sky Stadium. Home games are pretty special.”
TJ Perenara will captain the side, which remains largely unchanged from last weekend.
Vince Aso will replace Billy Proctor at outside centre, while Scott Scrafton makes a return to the forward pack. In the loose forwards, Reed Prinsep will start at number 8 with Gareth Evans moving to openside, while Vaea Fifita makes his first start of the season.
Jackson Garden-Bachop gets his second start in a row at first-five with Fletcher Smith back on the bench.
Head coach, Jason Holland, says it’s a competitive environment in the team.
“We have an excellent squad. Whoever gets their opportunity this week needs to take it as there are a lot of boys lining up to get a crack.”
The Sharks have scored more tries against the Hurricanes than any other South African side.
In a matchup last year, the Hurricanes walked away with a 30 – 17 win – but Holland says it’s always a tough encounter.
“The Sharks are a physical side with a big kicking game – not too dissimilar from the style the Springboks adopted to win the World Cup. They’ve got a back three who will take opportunities we give them.”
- Hurricanes Rugby
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Gardon-Bachop, TJ Perenara (c), Reed Prinsep, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Scott Scrafton, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Dane Coles, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Liam Mitchell, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Jamie Booth, Fletcher Smith, Billy Proctor.
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Latest Comments
Trump is most definitely random.
In this context though we are talking about the tone of recent event’s on this websites articles, which came well before Trump was made a fool and retaliated. Surely you read the part were I said it’s unfortunate given that they’re trying to find new sponsorship right now?
Well year I couldn’t comment on that, haven’t watched league up their in yonks, but I’ll say the Prem sides I’ve seen in CC certainly match you’re description of them. Pro rugby here only had the summer window, so I’d imagine that helps a lot in terms of scoring though, as do South Africa’s hard grounds? The rugby is the rugby anyway, I was more interested in the broadcast quality perspective. France’s is unique right? Prem on BT used to have some pretty dour sideline analysis, but that was half due the look, being two guys standing on the side of the pitch at night in your winter talking about the game. SRP does that now but is full on ott.
Go to commentsRight. But are they actually doing anything to ever base themselves in the islands with a mostly Pi born roster?
Or are they just content to be a 6th NZ team, filling their squad with Kiwis and Aussies (and an Englishman), spreading the talent even thinner than it already is, and make excuses every season why it’s not possible to play in the islands, let alone be based there? No, because most of their squad would rather stay home than do that.
If the Drua can manage all these things, why can’t this ‘island’ side?
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