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Hurricanes ‘really keen’ to return home against Moana Pasifika this weekend
By Finn Morton
Coming off their shock loss to the Fijian Drua last weekend, the Hurricanes have made six changes to their run-on side to take on the Moana Pasifika in Wellington.
Back at Sky Stadium with a family-friendly kick-off time of 4.35pm NZST on Saturday, the Hurricanes have made some intriguing changes to their team.
All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Dane Coles are both unavailable this week, so hooker Jacob Devery is set for his first start of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Devery will pack down in the front row alongside Tevita Mafileo and Tyrel Lomax, while James Blackwell is also set to take his place in the run-on side at lock.
The Hurricanes certainly pack a punch in their backrow, though, with coach Jason Holland turning to his familiar loose forward trio of Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi and captain Ardie Savea.
Jamie Booth is back in the No. 9 jersey this week, and will start alongside rising star Aidan Morgan in the halves.
New Zealand under-20s star Harry Godfrey is also set to return to the run-on side, having been given the nod to start at fullback.
Coach Jason Holland said the Hurricanes are “really keen” to play in front of their home fans this weekend.
“The fans in Fiji were absolutely amazing but the boys are really keen to get back out in front of home fans this weekend,” Holland said in a statement.
“A family-friendly kick-off is a great opportunity for the fans to get their families together and get behind the boys.”
The Hurricanes’ match against Moana Pasifika is set to kick-off at 4.35pm NZST on Saturday afternoon at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
Hurricanes team to take on Moana Pasifika
- Tevita Mafileo
- Jacob Devery
- Tyrel Lomax
- James Blackwell
- Isaia Walker-Leawere
- Devan Flanders
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Ardie Savea (c)
- Jamie Booth
- Aidan Morgan
- Kini Naholo
- Jordie Barrett
- Billy Proctor
- Salesi Rayasi
- Harry Godfrey
Replacements:
- Hame Faiva
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- Pasilio Tosi
- Caleb Delany
- Brayden Iose
- Logan Henry
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Josh Moorby
Unavailable: Ruben Love, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Daniel Sinkinson, Bailyn Sullivan, Dane Coles, Asafo Aumua
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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