Hurricanes team to face the Blues in this weeks round 14 match.
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The Hurricanes have named their team to face the Blues in this week’s round 14 match at Eden Park on Saturday.
Following last week’s 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika, eight changes and a positional switch have been made to the starting lineup, which is headlined by the selection of Caleb Delany for his 50th Hurricanes match.
Delany retains his place in an overhauled tight five that features the return of loosehead prop Xavier Numia and hooker Asafo Aumua in the front row. They start alongside tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi.
Warner Dearns is also included to partner Delany at lock, while further changes in the loose forwards see Peter Lakai named at openside flanker and Devan Flanders picked at No 8. Brad Shields keep his place at blindside flanker.
In the backline, a new-look halves partnership sees halfback Ereatara Enari link up with first-five Ruben Love – back from a minor ankle injury – in a starting capacity for the first time.
Jordie Barrett resumes his captaincy role upon his return at second-five, renewing his midfield combination with centre and vice-captain Billy Proctor.
After last week’s two-try comeback following his year-long injury layoff, Kini Naholo is promoted to the starting side at left wing. That forces an outside back reshuffle that shifts Fehi Fineanganofo to the right wing, while Callum Harkin remains at fullback.
Loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, loose forward Brayden Iose, and midfielder Jone Rova join hooker Raymond Tuputupu, tighthead prop Siale Lauaki, halfback Jordi Viljoen, and utility back Bailyn Sullivan on the bench.
"We’re looking forward to going up to Eden Park and playing the Blues. It’s another top-three game that can go a long way to securing the right for home playoffs, if good enough, so we’re well aware of that,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“We’re also well aware of the threat that the Blues possess. I’m sure they’re highly motivated about the opportunity to beat us and continue that fight for the top two. It’s going to be a highly physical and exciting game, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Laidlaw also acknowledged Delany as he prepares to become the 70th Hurricanes player to register 50 appearances for the club.
The match also represents a significant milestone for assistant coach Cory Jane, who becomes the first person to both play and coach 100 Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes.
“CD has become an integral part of the club. He’s a top performer for us,” Laidlaw said of Delany.
“The bandwidth between his top game and another game is really small. He plays consistently well every week and has become a total mainstay in this team. His maturity and consistency are big reasons why we’re playing well, so we look forward to him joining the 50 club.
“It’s also CJ’s 100th Hurricanes game as a coach. It was announced yesterday that he’s re-signed with the club and it’s another little milestone that we’re bloody proud of for him.”
Kick-off for Saturday’s match in Auckland is scheduled for 7:05pm.
HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY THE BLUES (Hurricanes caps in brackets)
- Xavier Numia (87)
- Asafo Aumua (85)
- Pasilio Tosi (48)
- Caleb Delany (50th match)
- Warner Dearns (10)
- Brad Shields (138)
- Peter Lakai (46)
- Devan Flanders (67)
- Ereatara Enari (22)
- Ruben Love (50)
- Kini Naholo (33)
- Jordie Barrett (121) - captain
- Billy Proctor (78)
- Fehi Fineanganofo (23)
- Callum Harkin (20)
- Raymond Tuputupu (21)
- Pouri Rakete-Stones (57)
- Siale Lauaki (13)
- Isaia Walker-Leawere (87)
- Brayden Iose (62)
- Jordi Viljoen (7)
- Jone Rova (10)
- Bailyn Sullivan (47)
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 2 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 1 week
Du’Plessis Kirifi (knee): 1 week
Arese Poliko (concussion): 1 week
Cam Roigard (calf): 2-3 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
