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Hurricanes make a change at first five after Cape Town thumping

By Online Editors
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Two major changes have been made to the Hurricanes starting line-up set to take on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires this weekend.

It comes as the team looks to bounce back following a 27 – 0 loss to the Stormers on Sunday.

Jackson-Garden Bachop’s been selected as number 10 with Fletcher Smith on the bench whilst Asafo Aumua has been chosen over Ricky Riccitelli as hooker.

Head coach, Jason Holland, expects the Jaguares will have confidence after a convincing 38 -8 win against the Lions.

“Their victory was impressive and they dominated the Lions in all areas. There’s also a lot of hype for the team over here after their strong 2019 campaign.”

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Holland says the squad has done a lot of reflection and is ready to come back strong.

“We have to nail the small details on an individual level and collectively. Too many turnovers and giving away possession killed us last week and so we need to be patient and to build some pressure.”

TJ Perenara once again captains the side, backed by the experience of Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape at fullback and second-five and Ben Lam on the left wing.

The bench provides plenty more depth as well in Vince Aso, Jamie Booth and Vaea Fifita who scored the opening try against the Argentinians during round 14 of last year’s tournament.

The team to face the Jaguares in Buenos Aires is:

15 Jordie Barrett

14 Wes Goosen

13 Billy Proctor

12 Ngani Laumape

11 Ben Lam

10 Jackson Garden-Bachop

9 TJ Perenara [C]

8 Gareth Evans

7 Du’Plessis Kirifi

6 Reed Prinsep

5 Scott Scrafton

4 James Blackwell

3 Tyrel Lomax

2 Asafo Aumua

1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves:

16 Ricky Riccitelli

17 Tevita Mafileo

18 Alex Fidow

19 Isaia Walker-Leawere

20 Vaea Fifita

21 Jamie Booth

22 Fletcher Smith

23 Vince Aso

- Hurricanes Rugby

Whilst the extra week off has been good for the squad, Tony Brown feels like the Highlanders are late to the party following a Round 1 bye: