1
All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett has been named on the bench for the Hurricanes’ opening clash against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
ADVERTISEMENT
After not seeing any action during preseason, head coach Chris Boyd toyed with the idea of using this round as one of Barrett’s All Blacks “rest weeks”.
If Barrett gets off the bench, he could become just the fourth player in Super Rugby history to surpass 1000 points.
Three new caps set to start for our opener against @BlueBullsRugby at Loftus. Full team – https://t.co/ffo34KSFGM pic.twitter.com/PohT9KaxDF
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) February 22, 2018
New Hurricane Ihaia West will start in the No 10 jersey, with former Melbourne Rebel Jackson Garden-Bachop left out of the 23.
Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso, who accounted for 29 tries last season, make up the midfield. Julian Savea has been named on the right wing as he tries to force his way back in to the national side. Wes Goosen and Matt Proctor complete the back three.
There are two Hurricanes debutantes in the forward pack, with prop Toby Smith and loose forward Gareth Evans getting starting nods. Prop Alex Fidow, lock Murray Douglas and halfback Jamie Booth are all in line for a Hurricanes debut off the bench.
With Dane Coles shooting for a June return following his ACL injury last year and rookie sensation Asafo Aumua not traveling with the team, Ricky Riccitelli will start at hooker and James O’Reilly will come off the bench.
ADVERTISEMENT
HURRICANES
1. Toby Smith, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Ben May, 4. Vaea Fifita, 5. Sam Lousi, 6. Brad Shields (C), 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Ihaia West, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Vince Aso, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Matt Proctor.
Reserves: 16. James O’Reilly, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Murray Douglas, 20. Blade Thomson, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Ben Lam.
