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Captain Ardie Savea named for Hurricanes return vs the Waratahs

(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea will make his return to the starting side on Friday after serving a one game suspension for a throat-slitting gesture against the Rebels in Super Round.

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Savea was cited for the incident a fortnight ago, and was later ruled out of the teams New Zealand derby against the Blues in Wellington last weekend.

The Hurricanes have made three changes to their starting XV ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster against the NSW Waratahs at Sky Stadium.

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Savea has been named to start at No. 8 for the Hurricanes, and will replace rising star Peter Lakai who moves out of the teams matchday 23.

Hooker Asafo Aumua has also been promoted to the starting side after a strong performances, while veteran Dane Coles will look to provide some impact off the bench.

James Blackwell and Isaia Walker-Leawere will start in the second-row for the fourth time this season, while Devan Flanders and Du’Plessis Kirifi have been named on the flanks.

As for the backline, Cameron Roigard and Brett Cameron will partner each other in the halves again this week after a promising display against the Blues.

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The pair will look to lead an exciting backline around the park on Friday night, which includes just one change.

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Winger Kini Naholo is set to make his Hurricanes debut on Friday night, following stints with both the Chiefs and Crusaders.

Once heralded as a schoolboy superstar, Naholo famously scored six tries in one half for the Hastings Boys’ High 1st XV in 2017.

“Kini has got himself into good shape and it looking sharp,” coach Jason Holland said in a statement.

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“He’s a big threat with ball in hand, and has earned this opportunity to start.”

Veteran lock Dominic Bird could also make his Hurricanes debut off the bench this week, while Bailyn Sulivan is also set to make his return from a stint on the sidelines.

The match between the Hurricanes and NSW Waratahs is set to kick-off at 7:05pm on Friday night at Sky Stadium.

 

Hurricanes team to take on the Waratahs

  1. Xavier Numia
  2. Asafo Aumua
  3. Tyrel Lomax

4 James Blackwell

  1. Isaia Walker-Leawere
  2. Devan Flanders
  3. Du’Plessis Kirifi
  4. Ardie Savea (c)
  5. Cameron Roigard
  6. Brett Cameron
  7. Kini Naholo
  8. Jordie Barrett
  9. Billy Proctor
  10. Julian Savea
  11. Josh Moorby

 

Replacements:

  1. Dane Coles
  2. Pouri Rakete-Stones
  3. Pasilio Tosi
  4. Dominic Bird
  5. Braydon Iose
  6. Jamie Booth
  7. Aidan Morgan
  8. Bailyn Sulivan

 

Unavailable: Ruben Love, Caleb Delany, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Justin Sangster, TJ Perenara, Jacob Devery

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Nickers 26 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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