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Hurricanes' injury concerns alleviated for Rebels quarter-final
By Ned Lester
The injury concerns over Hurricanes stars TJ Perenara and Ruben Love have been put to rest as the Wellington club have named both players in the starting XV for their quarter-final against the Rebels.
The pair have been named in a lethal backline which includes Salesi Rayasi on the left wing in the place of Kini Naholo. The former New Zealand sevens star has demanded the starting role through his strong recent form after starting the year on the bench.
Elsewhere, selection calls have been made to keep Devan Flanders as the starting blindside flanker, meaning Brad Shields will again make his impact on the game off the bench.
Tyrel Lomax remains unavailable, leaving Pasilio Tosi to start alongside the powerful Xavier Numia and Asafo Aumua in the front row. Aumua showed no signs of rust upon his return from injury last week, something his head coach commended ahead of the quarter-final.
“Asafo was extremely diligent in his rehab and that allowed him to get back out on the park for 40 minutes which was pleasing for him and us," Clark Laidlaw said.
“We’re under no illusion, the Melbourne Rebels have an exciting backline, and their x-factor is a real threat, with numerous ball carriers across the field, it’ll be an amazing match.”
Having secured the top seed in a dramatic final weekend of results, the team are ready to show out in front of their home fans.
“The crowd was immense and has been building all season. How good is afternoon rugby – we're keen to see a big crowd on Saturday to bring that extra energy.”
Hurricanes team to face the Rebels
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua
- Pasilio Tosi
- Justin Sangster
- Isaia Walker-Leawere
- Devan Flanders
- Peter Lakai
- Brayden Iose
- TJ Perenara
- Brett Cameron
- Salesi Rayasi
- Jordie Barrett (C)
- Billy Proctor
- Josh Moorby
- Ruben Love
Reserves
- James O’Reilly
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- Tevita Mafileo
- Brad Shields
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Richard Judd
- Bailyn Sullivan
- Kini Naholo
Unavailable: Cam Roigard, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Ben Grant
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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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