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Final Hurricanes team of the regular season named to play Highlanders

Asafo Aumua leads the Hurricanes out of the tunnel. Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

The Hurricanes will look to continue their seven-game home winning streak when they take on the Highlanders at Sky Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

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They have been boosted by the return of star hooker Asafo Aumua, who was in career best form early in the season and one of the most dominant players in the competition.

Aumua’s presence will add dynamism to the front row that includes tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi, one of the biggest players in New Zealand.

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Captain Brad Shields is unavailable meaning All Black midfielder Jordie Barrett will take over for the Kiwi derby, while Devan Flankers moves to blindside to fill Shields’ absence.

Du’Plessis Kirifi has been named to start at openside with Peter Lakai on the bench, while Brayden Iose rounds out the starting loose forwards at No 8.

Winger Salesi Rayasi has been handed a rare start on the left wing in what will be his 50th appearance for the club. Josh Moorby and Ruben Love round out the back three.

Impressive halfback Jordi Viljoen returns in the 21 jersey for a bench spot, alongside midfielder Riley Higgins and outside back Bailyn Sullivan.

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They will wear a vintage strip honouring the 1997 Hurricanes side as they look to edge the Blues for the competition’s number one seed.

The Hurricanes hold a strong record over the Highlanders in recent times winning nine of the last 10 fixtures, however the Highlanders recently broke their losing streak against New Zealand sides and will be looking for another victory.

The Hurricanes team take on the Highlanders:

1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. James Tucker
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Devan Flanders
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Brayden Iose
9. TJ Perenara
10. Brett Cameron
11. Salesi Rayasi (50th Hurricanes game)
12. Jordie Barrett (C)
13. Billy Proctor
14. Josh Moorby
15. Ruben Love

Reserves

16. James O’Reilly
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Tevita Mafileo (50th Super Rugby game)
19. Justin Sangster
20. Peter Lakai
21. Jordi Viljoen
22. Riley Higgins
23. Bailyn Sullivan

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Unavailable: Cam Roigard, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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B
Bull Shark 13 minutes 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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