Another positional switch for Jordie Barrett ahead of Highlanders clash

Hurricanes utility back Jordie Barrett will feature at outside-centre for the Hurricanes this weekend in what will be his fourth positional switch of the season. 

Barrett has featured at inside centre, fullback and wing so far for the Hurricanes but will line up in the 13 jersey against the Highlanders.

The side to face the Highlanders see just two changes being made to starting XV that went down to the Crusaders. Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named Kane Le'aupepe to start at lock after the 26-year-old impressed off the bench in his first appearance for the club in last week's loss to the Crusaders.

Le'aupepe, who came into the Hurricanes squad as injury cover, replaces Liam Mitchell who moves to the reserves bench following a heavy workload in his first season of Super Rugby. The other change to the starting side is at centre where Jordie Barrett moves in from the wing with Matt Proctor moving to the bench.

The change sees inform winger Wes Goosen return to the starting XV after he was moved to the bench against the Crusaders after scoring a brace against the Stormers and he will make his 30th appearance for the Hurricanes.

The bench stays largely the same with the exception being the reserve halfback's spot with Finlay Christie replacing Richard Judd. TJ Perenara retains the captaincy with Dane Coles ruled out for a second week with a minor calf injury.

"While we were disappointed with the result against the Crusaders the coaching group still found some positives in how we played, especially the way we performed up front," Plumtree said.

"The challenge for us now is to get the rest of our game to where it needs to be against what will be a really motivated Highlanders team who will be desperate to play well in front of their home fans."

The Hurricanes squad to face the Highlanders is:

15 Chase Tiatia
14 Wes Goosen
13 Jordie Barrett
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Reed Prinsep
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Kane Le'aupepe
4 James Blackwell
3 Ben May
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves

16 Asafo Aumua
17 Chris Eves
18 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Liam Mitchell
21 Du'Plessis Kirifi
22 Finlay Christie
23 Matt Proctor