Strong Hurricanes side named for Carlos Spencer's homecoming

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a 38-strong squad for Saturday night's Super Rugby preseason match against the defending champion Crusaders.

The match, one of two preseason fixtures scheduled before the Hurricanes open their Super Rugby campaign against the Waratahs in Sydney on February 16, will provide Plumtree with a great opportunity to see how the players have progressed since they started their conditioning work back in November.

Former Highlanders playmaker Fletcher Smith will start at first five-eighth outside halfback Finlay Christie while the midfield has an exciting look to it with Vince Aso and Matt Proctor selected.

Ben Lam, who really impressed last season scoring a record 16 tries, is on one wing with Wes Goosen on the other.

The match will feature rolling substitutions and will be played over two 40 minute halves.

The reserves bench features a mix of Hurricanes squad members and players who have been training with the group after impressing in the Mitre 10 Cup and national under-19 tournament.

The pre-season match will also see new Hurricanes assistant coach Carlos Spencer return to his hometown where he was expecting plenty of support.

"I've been down to the domain to have a look and I can't believe how good the ground is looking, it's the best I've ever seen it," he said.

The Hurricanes squad to face the Crusaders is:

15. Chase Tiatia

14. Wes Goosen

13. Matt Proctor

12. Vince Aso

11. Ben Lam

10. Fletcher Smith

9. Finlay Christie

8. Gareth Evans

7. Sam Henwood

6. Reed Prinsep

5. Geoff Cridge

4. James Blackwell

3. Jeff To'omaga-Allen

2. Ricky Riccitelli

1. Toby Smith

Reserves

16. Asafo Aumua

17. James O'Reilly

18. Kianu Kereru-Symes

19. Ben May

20. Chris Eves

21. Alex Fidow

22. Fraser Armstrong

23. Xavier Numia

24. Isaia Walker-Leawere

25. Liam Mitchell

26. Naitoa Ah Kuoi

27. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis

28. Du'Plessis Kirifi

29. Devan Flanders

30. Teariki Ben-Nicholas

31. Jono Hickey

32. Carlos Price

33. Jackson Garden-Bachop

34. Danny Toala

35. Billy Proctor

36. Jonah Lowe

37. Salesi Rayasi

38. Callum Harkin

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