1
Ex-Wallaby’s bold call: Drua could hand Hurricanes ‘first loss of the year’
By Finn Morton
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui has tipped the Fijian Drua to hand the ladder-leading Hurricanes their “first loss of the year” in a blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific clash in Suva on Friday.
The Hurricanes have emerged as the team to beat with the table-toppers currently boasting a flawless 7-0 record which has included wins over the Blues, Melbourne Rebels and Chiefs.
Coach Clark Laidlaw hasn’t been afraid to test the squad’s depth this season, having made 14 changes to the First XV to play the Rebels and another 12 before facing the Highlanders.
But not everyone is convinced. Former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall recently questioned whether the unbeaten Hurricanes are indeed the favourites to take out the title this season.
Marshall said the Hurricanes would need to go over to Fiji this week and win “as a start.” It’s a menacing challenge and not everyone believes the men from New Zealand’s capital will win.
“Interesting too when you look at their team… the experience off the bench,” Morgan Turinui said on Stan Sports’ The Call Up.
“I expected a big full 80 and a strong finish over there in Suva this week.
“This could be the first loss of the year for the Canes.”
The Hurricanes have challenged some of their squad members to go the job at ANZ Stadium this week with coach Laidlaw once again making a stunning amount of changes to the starting side.
Coach Laidlaw has made 10 changes to the starting side, including a fresh face at first five with Aidan Morgan replacing Brett Cameron in a still-supremely talented backline.
Wing Salesi Rayasi comes onto the left edge with Kini Naholo shifting to the right, while Josh Moorby shifts to fullback with Ruben Love set to provide impact off the bench.
This is a Hurricanes team that looks different but the core of the team remains the same. It’ll be a good test for the table-toppers and one that former All Black Mils Muliaina thinks they can do the job.
“You would be forgiven to say you take a weakened side over there and you could be bitten. We’ve seen that already a number of times,” Muliaina explained.
“But I don’t see that with this Hurricanes side.
“The pack up front, especially the front row, they’ve gone through a lot of work in terms of Tyrel Lomax and Asafo Aumua… the fact they get a little bit of a rest.
“Flanders and Du’Plessis Kirifi, I mean… how much competition do those guys need in this department?
“Of course, Aidan Morgan – he’s been there or thereabouts. Probably a chance also for Clark Laidlaw to be able to give him some game time.
“Salesi Rayasi, we all know what he’s capable of.
“I sense, even last week after that game against the Chiefs, they’ve sort of blocked this out and almost got the feeling that these players already knew they were going to go to Suva and they’re going to be starting.
“The preparation for team has probably already started.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
3
Exclusive RugbyPass interview: Toulon co-captain David Ribbans
4
'One of the deadliest wingers in rugby' has decided his future
5
Latest Comments
The manner of all these comments is that it doesn’t matter who plays No10 for the All Blacks, apparently they are all rubbish!
Seriously, people need to get a grip and stop obsessing over every tiny error made from an overscrutinised position. DMac was good this year for the most part, as was Beauden Barrett. Mo’unga was good last year and would be an asset in the group if he did come back. I don’t see it as an area of concern.
The main concern in 2025 is finding another world class lock and loose forward, followed by some scrutiny over the midfield combination in my view.
Go to commentsI was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to comments