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Departing star Ngani Laumape returns as Hurricanes make raft of changes for Rebels clash

(Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes have welcomed back Ngani Laumape from a rest week ahead of their upcoming clash against the Melbourne Rebels in Wellington on Friday.

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Laumape was left out of the Hurricanes side that thumped the Waratahs 64-48 in Sydney last week, just days after it was announced that he will be leaving New Zealand to join Top 14 club Stade Francais in July.

After Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland confirmed his star man’s imminent move to France had nothing to do with his omission, the 28-year-old has since been recalled as one of 10 personnel changes to face off against the Rebels, who were beaten 50-3 by the Blues in Melbourne last Saturday.

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Replacing one-test All Blacks midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen at second-five, Laumape will join Billy Proctor in the midfield and will form a new five-eighth combination with No 10 Orbyn Leger.

Leger comes into the side to replace the injured Ruben Love, who was taken from the field in a stretcher in the opening stages of last week’s win over the Waratahs due to a heavy head knock.

The talented 20-year-old has since been cleared of any serious damage, but he will stay on the sidelines for this week’s match at Sky Stadium.

Leger, who filled the first-five role in Love’s absence at the Sydney Cricket Ground, is one half of a new-look halves duo that features fellow Counties Manukau representative Jonathan Taumateine, who replaces Luke Campbell at halfback.

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The only other change in the backline comes on the left wing, where Wes Goosen comes into the side in place of the athletic Salesi Rayasi to create a back three comprised of Jordie Barrett and Julian Savea.

Up front, six-test All Blacks tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax takes the No 3 jersey off of Alex Fidow after he was demoted to the bench last week.

Scott Scrafton, meanwhile, comes into the second row, taking the place of lock Isaia Walker-Leawere in the only other alteration to the starting XV.

In the reserves, ex-Blues wing Lolagi Visinia has been called into the side for a potential debut, joining Fidow, halfback Cam Roigard, Maori All Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and one-test All Blacks loose forward Gareth Evans as the newbies on the bench.

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Holland said the vast number of changes comes as the coaching staff looks to maximise the potential throughout the entire playing squad.

“At the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa we made it clear to the squad that there will be opportunities for players to show what they can do and we are determined to create plenty of competition for positions as we work through the coming weeks,” he said.

“That’s created some real excitement in our squad and that’s been matched by the opportunity to be back playing in front of our fans.”

Kick-off for Friday’s match is scheduled for 7:05pm [NZT].

Hurricanes side to face the Melbourne Rebels

1. Xavier Numia
2. Dane Coles (c)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. James Blackwell
5. Scott Scrafton
6. Reed Prinsep
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Devan Flanders
9. Jonathan Taumateine
10. Orbyn Leger
11. Wes Goosen
12. Ngani Lamuape
13. Billy Proctor
14. Julian Savea
15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves:

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Alex Fidow
19. Liam Mitchell
20. Braydon Iose
21. Gareth Evans
22. Cam Roigard
23. Lolagi Visinia

Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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