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Hurricanes confirm late change with star ruled out of Crusaders clash

Du'Plessis Kirifi of the Hurricanes looks on during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on April 08, 2023, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes have been dealt a major blow ahead of their crunch clash with the Crusaders at Sky Stadium on Saturday, with Du’Plessis Kirifi set to miss the match due to injury.

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Kirifi has been nothing short of sensational for the Hurricanes this season. The Wellington Lions captain is currently equal fifth for tackles made in Super Rugby Pacific with 156.

Looking to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to the Blues at Eden Park, the Hurricanes named their team to play the defending champions on Thursday.

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To no surprise really, Kirifi was set to start at openside flanker once again in round 15 – and was set to compete as part of the formidable loose forward trio which includes Devan Flanders and Ardie Savea.

But, mere hours before kick-off in Wellington, the Hurricanes confirmed the late change to their side on social media.

“Due to an injury sustained by Du’Plessis Kirifi, he has been withdrawn from tonight’s match against the Crusaders at Sky Stadium,” the Hurricanes wrote on their Instagram.

“Ardie Savea will now shift to 7, and Brayden Iose moves from the bench to 8.

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“TK Howden will provide impact from the bench.”

Hurricanes team to take on Crusaders – updated

  1. Tevita Mafileo
  2. Dane Coles
  3. Tyrel Lomax
  4. James Blackwell
  5. Caleb Delany
  6. Devan Flanders
  7. Ardie Savea (c)
  8. Brayden Iose
  9. Cam Roigard
  10. Brett Cameron
  11. Kini Naholo
  12. Jordie Barrett
  13. Billy Proctor
  14. Daniel Sinkinson
  15. Josh Moorby

Replacements:

  1. Jacob Devery
  2. Pouri Rakete-Stones
  3. Owen Franks
  4. Justin Sangster
  5. TK Howden
  6. Jamie Booth
  7. Ruben Love
  8. Bailyn Sullivan
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Bull Shark 2 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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