Hurricanes team named to face Moana Pasifika
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The Hurricanes have named their team to face Moana Pasifika in this week’s round 13 match at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.
The side features seven changes to the starting lineup following last week’s 38-31 win over the Crusaders last weekend.
Up front, Pouri Rakete-Stones returns at loosehead prop alongside hooker Vernon Bason, who makes his first start in Super Rugby Pacific. Pasilio Tosi retains his place at tighthead prop.
Caleb Delany remains in the second row to partner Isaia Walker-Leawere at lock, while Brad Shields is named at blindside flanker, pushing Brayden Iose to No 8. Du’Plessis Kirifi is kept at openside flanker and has been named as captain.
In the backline, halfback Ereatara Enari is named to face his former team alongside first-five Lucas Cashmore. The duo will partner in the halves for the first time, with Cashmore joining Bason in making his maiden Super Rugby Pacific start.
Jone Rova is selected at second-five to form a fresh midfield combination with centre Billy Proctor. The outside backs are unchanged, with Fehi Fineanganofo and Josh Moorby named on the wings, and Callum Harkin staying at fullback.
Further alterations on the bench are headlined by the inclusion of Kini Naholo, who has been named for the first time since rupturing his ACL while playing for the Hurricanes a year and three days ago.
Naholo initially made his comeback while playing for the Hurricanes Hunters in early March but sustained an injured heel in the first few minutes of the development side’s match against the Chiefs Taua, sidelining him for a further six weeks.
He has since returned to action with two appearances for Clifton in Taranaki club rugby.
Naholo makes his injury return alongside Bailyn Sullivan, who is named in the match day squad for the first time since late March.
They feature in the reserves with hooker Asafo Aumua, props Xavier Numia and Siale Lauaki, lock Hugo Plummer, loose forward Devan Flanders, and halfback Jordi Viljoen.
"Having picked up a few injuries in the Crusaders game, it’s an opportunity for the squad to use its depth, and we expect the boys who are coming in to play well,” Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw said.
“It’s exciting to welcome a few guys back. The inclusion of Kini is super exciting. He’s done an unreal job with his ACL recovery.
“It was a little bit tricky, after he’d done such a good job recovering from his ACL, to pick up a different injury, but it’s never a straight line back from big injuries.
“He’s been training particularly well for the past month, and he’s managed to get two full club games under his belt and he’s itching to get started, so we’re really looking forward to getting him on the field.”
Laidlaw also acknowledged Moana Pasifika as the side prepares for this week’s opposition.
“We’ve got real empathy for the situation that Moana Pasifika are in. It’s really difficult for all their people to potentially not be in the competition next year, so we understand what sort of game we’re walking into,” he said.
“They were really physical against the Blues last week and we thought they played well, so we’re under no illusions that it’s going to be a tough night but it’s one that we’re really looking forward to.”
Kick-off for Saturday’s match in Auckland is scheduled for 7:05pm.
HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY MOANA PASIFIKA (Hurricanes caps in brackets)
- Pouri Rakete-Stones (56)
- Vernon Bason (2)
- Pasilio Tosi (47)
- Caleb Delany (48)
- Isaia Walker-Leawere (86)
- Brad Shields (137)
- Du’Plessis Kirifi (101) – captain
- Brayden Iose (61)
- Ereatara Enari (21)
- Lucas Cashmore (3)
- Fehi Fineanganofo (22)
- Jone Rova (9)
- Billy Proctor (77)
- Josh Moorby (48)
- Callum Harkin (19)
- Asafo Aumua (85)
- Xavier Numia (86)
- Siale Lauaki (12)
- Hugo Plummer (11)
- Devan Flanders (66)
- Jordi Viljoen (6)
- Bailyn Sullivan (46)
- Kini Naholo (32)
UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 3 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 2 weeks
Cam Roigard (calf): 3-4 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Ruben Love (ankle): 1 week
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
Josh Timu (ankle): 2 weeks
