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Hurricanes welcome All Blacks star Dane Coles back into starting lineup for Chiefs derby
By Online Editors
Dane Coles has been named in the Hurricanes’ starting line-up for the first time this year, as the team gets set to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton.
It means Friday’s game will also be the first time the co-captaincy between Coles and TJ Perenara will formally come into effect.
The Wellington-based Super Rugby squad is looking to bounce back, after a tough loss at home against the Blues last Saturday.
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With Tyrel Lomax suspended for three weeks, Ben May, comes into the fold as tighthead prop.
There are a few other changes up front with Fraser Armstrong replacing Xavier Numia, who’s recovering from a head knock. James Blackwell makes his way back into the starting XV whilst Devan Flanders is promoted to the number 6 jersey.
Meanwhile, Coles’ return will mean Asafo Aumua will start the game on the bench.
Head coach, Jason Holland, says there’s plenty of competition for the No. 2 jersey.
“Colesy wants to put his hand up and grab that role. We’ve got three awesome boys fighting for a chance to start, so they’re all aware they need to take the chance when its given and play well.”
There’s been no changes made to the backline this week, with Fletcher Smith, Ben Lam, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Kobus Van Wyk and Jordie Barrett all included.
Holland says the team’s been focussing on its accuracy ahead of what will be another tough derby.
“We weren’t accurate enough to take opportunities and territory we were gaining in first 30-minutes against the Blues. We’re working hard at fixing that that this week, especially as this Chiefs side will be looking to capitalise on that.”
The Hurricanes haven’t played the Chiefs since their 47 – 19 win in Wellington last April.
Hurricanes team to play the Chiefs
15) Jordie Barrett
14) Kobus Van Wyk
13) Vince Aso
12) Ngani Laumape
11) Ben Lam
10) Fletcher Smith
9) TJ Perenara [CC]
8) Gareth Evans
7) Du’Plessis Kirifi
6) Devan Flanders
5) Isaia Walker-Leawere
4) James Blackwell
3) Ben May
2) Dane Coles [CC]
1) Fraser Armstrong
Reserves
16) Asafo Aumua
17) Pouri Rakete-Stones
18) Alex Fidow
19) Scott Scrafton
20) Vaea Fifita
21) Jamie Booth
22) Billy Proctor
23) Wes Goosen
- Hurricanes Rugby
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Great point. It would be terrible to have a card for poor tackling cost the all blacks a world cup. Oh hi all blacks captain Sam Cane, how you going?
Go to commentsI like Andy’s critical approach to all hot issues especially when it comes to the rugby big “bosses”. However, sorry Andy, I don’t support your “we shouldn’t be questioning the integrity of Karl Dickson or any other official”. May I ask why? They do have a lot of responsibility, but they are people like us with all their sins and weaknesses. We have to respect their decision during the games, but why they became untouchable afterwards and people cannot even criticize them and the ones, who does express their concerns, got punished for publicly analyzing their mistakes and asking questions. If they believe they did right, there shouldn’t be a problem for any of the refs to answer these “questions” publicly. I don’t really remember such cases. However, I do remember how Craig Joubert shown his running skills in 2015 or Pascal Gauzere shined in Cardiff in 2021. I do believe that Rassie, as anybody else, had a full right to share his vision of Nic Berry’s performance the same year. I do not support the hate in any form especially in public one, but creating the cast of untouchable refs and rugby bosses is not for me. As for Karl, he had all means to question his appointment for the game and since I don’t now whether he did it, blaming just RFU wouldn’t be quite correct at this moment. I love the game of rugby and almost every time I watch it I don’t support any team, I just wanna see the good game and fair referring. Sorry, Karl. last Saturday you got my Craig Joubert”s award of the round. It is up to Karl to prove that I am wrong, not to Andy or RFU’s corporate bla-bla-bla. Something like that…
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