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‘It’s come full circle’: Hurricanes lock set for milestone against Drua
By Finn Morton
The life of Hurricanes star Isaia Walker-Leawere will “come full circle” on Saturday afternoon when he runs out for his 50th Super Rugby appearance.
Maori All Blacks representative Walker-Leawere will bring up the milestone against the Drua in Suva, Fiji – a country that clearly means a lot to both the second-rower and his family.
Isaia’s father, Kele Leawere, played for Fiji at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The Hurricanes lock is looking forward to playing “in front of my family” this weekend.
“It’s pretty buzzy how it’s come full circle and I get to play 50 games for the Hurricanes in Fiji in front of my family, many of whom I don’t really get to see very often,” Walker-Leawere said.
Following on from the Hurricanes’ hard-fought win over the Brumbies in round 10, coach Jason Holland has made three changes to the run-on XV.
There’s only one change in the forward pack, with Justin Sangster set to start alongside the milestone man in the second row following a stint on the sideline.
As for the backline, exciting winger Kini Naholo takes his place on the left edge, while in-form outside back Salesi Rayasi has been relegated to the bench.
Centre Billy Proctor also comes into the starting side, and will partner All Blacks star Jordie Barrett in the midfield.
“This is another massive game for us,” coach Holland said in a statement. “We are looking forward to playing in a brilliant and unique atmosphere.
“The Drua are playing some great rugby and scoring some great tries, so will need to be at our best to beat them.”
Hurricanes team to take on Fijian Drua
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua
- Tyrel Lomax
- James Sangster
- Isaia Walker-Leawere
- Devan Flanders
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Ardie Savea (c)
- Cam Roigard
- Aidan Morgan
- Kini Naholo
- Jordie Barrett
- Billy Proctor
- Julian Savea
- Josh Moorby
Replacements:
- Jacob Devery
- Tevita Mafileo
- Owen Franks
- TK Howden
- Brayden Iose
- Jamie Booth
- Harry Godfrey
- Salesi Rayasi
Unavailable: Ruben Love, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Daniel Sinkinson, Bailyn Sullivan, Dane Coles, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Dominic Bird
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Leinster B team a bit rich they’re an excellent side with the best of sport science coaching behind them making the utmost of their personnel. Rugby SA and Rassie the wizard need to find some better coaching talent from seomewhere for our franchises they're falling behind. Plumtree isn't bad but he's not up there with the big boys even Jake just makes the cut. With better coaching and use of our super talented Sharks personnel the Sharks would be unbeatable.
Go to commentsCredit to Leinster. Sharks are heroes against average opposition, and zeros against well-coached teams. Amazing, given the awesome roster.
Plumtree says it was only one score. Hello? Some thoughts: 1/ The best coaches never say that, and 2/ an incremental maul try would not change the fact that the team was boring and static in attack.
Suggestion for Neil Powell: Stop doing whatever you are doing, and do whatever it takes to hire a coaching team with vision.
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