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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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Ratima did look rattled, compared to Roigard who looked like a boss when he came on. But that's been Roigard in test rugby so far. Ratima is only really starting because of Roigard's injury, otherwise surely Roigard was the incumbent. So it's not just one outing of the pine, that just points to Roigard being ready to have a start. As good as Ratima has been, Roigard just offers more.
Go to commentsCody Taylor is a more significant loss than BB, not even close!
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