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Three All Blacks return for Hurricanes tour to South Africa
By Online Editors
Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a 27-man squad to tour South Africa for their Super Rugby matches against the Sharks and Lions.
The squad features the return of club captain Dane Coles and experienced loose forward Gareth Evans who have been sidelined with calf injuries.
Coles last featured for the Hurricanes in their round five match against the Chiefs while Evans has not played since the round two match against the Crusaders.
The pair played club rugby in Wellington yesterday and satisfied Plumtree that they were ready to make the two-match tour.
"We have been patient with both players through their rehab and we think that is really going to benefit us at the back of of this season," he said.
The touring squad features a 16-forward, 11-back split and also sees the return of first five-eighth Beauden Barrett who missed the Hurricanes loss to the Jaguares due to the second of his All Black rest weeks.
The Hurricanes returned to work on Friday following the second of their byes and Plumtree was pleased with the attitude as they prepare to travel to the republic.
"We were obviously disappointed with the result against the Jaguares after what had been a good four week period for us," he said.
"The next two matches are vital for us in South Africa as we push for a home quarterfinal but we know the size of the challenge against two quality sides who are also fighting really hard for places at the top of their conference."
Hurricanes squad to tour South Africa
Forwards
Jeff To'omaga-Allen
Fraser Armstrong
Toby Smith
Chris Eves
Ross Geldenhuys
Dane Coles
Asafo Aumua
Ricky Riccitelli
James Blackwell
Kane Le'aupepe
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Ardie Savea
Gareth Evans
Vaea Fifita
Reed Prinsep
Du'Plessis Kirifi
Backs
TJ Perenara
Richard Judd
Beauden Barrett
James Marshall
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Ngani Laumape
Matt Proctor
Wes Goosen
Jordie Barrett
Ben Lam
Chase Tiatia
- Hurricanes Rugby
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Latest Comments
Were you shocked by Sexton trying to rip Barrett's head off when he scored that final try in that return game?
Sexton once again the beneficiary of incredible double standards. Some of the rules simply didn't apply to him. The referee even watched that replay about 5 times in slow motion to see if he grounded the ball. If an NZ player had made that tackle it would have been a yellow card.
Ireland led by Sexton were the biggest bunch of whingers to ever play the game. NZ's dislike of Ireland was not caused by losing to them, it was caused by the Irish players, commentators and media being such giant crybabies.
I genuinely think Ireland are the best team in the world, and I think they will beat the ABs on Friday, but they are by some distance the team I like the least, and I know many people, not just from NZ, who feel the same.
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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