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Hurricanes name surprising lineup for Chiefs clash
By Online Editors
The Hurricanes have made minimal changes to their starting team for their last Super Rugby round-robin match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night, deciding to name a full-strength team.
Head coach Chris Boyd has made just three changes to the team that will run on to FMG Waikato Stadium from the one which faced the Blues last round.
Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen is promoted from the bench along with lock Michael Fatialofa in changes to the pack while competition leading try scorer Ben Lam also returns and Julian Savea moves to the bench.
Lam is the only change to a back line which produced six tries against the Blues, including a club record-equaling four for second five-eighth Ngani Laumape who will again form a midfield combination with Wes Goosen.
Boyd has also made a few tweaks to the bench where Chris Eves, Reed Prinsep and Finlay Christie all return after a week away.
The Hurricanes need to win, get a bonus point or avoid a heavy defeat against the Chiefs to guarantee a home quarterfinal the following week.
Boyd said there was a real determination in the squad to perform in Hamilton, not only to maintain momentum heading into the playoffs, but to ensure they had a home quarterfinal in front of their fans.
The Hurricanes squad to face the Chiefs is:
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
13 Wes Goosen
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara
8 Blade Thomson
7 Sam Henwood
6 Brad Shields (c)
5 Sam Lousi
4 Michael Fatialofa
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Toby Smith
Reserves
16 James O'Reilly
17 Chris Eves
18 Ben May
19 Gareth Evans
20 Reed Prinsep
21 Finlay Christie
22 Ihaia West
23 Julian Savea
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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