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Hurricanes keep Barrett at 12 but name new fullback for Crusaders

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes return to Sky Stadium this Saturday afternoon when they host the Crusaders in Round 8 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, presented by match day partner Dettol.

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Head Coach Jason Holland has named an experienced yet dynamic side to take on the Crusaders, with only two changes to the starting side from last week.

The front row remains unchanged with Hawkes’ Bay prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, hooker Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax returning to the starting line-up. On the bench, James O’Reilly, Alex Fidow and Tevita Mafileo will add power at set piece.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 8

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 8

Lock James Blackwell partners Scott Scrafton, while Wellington Lion Caleb Delany looks to add impact off the bench.

Du’Plessis Kirifi and Captain Ardie Savea line up in seven and eight, with Devan Flanders providing cover on the bench. Young Manawat? Turbos loose forward Te Kamaka (TK) Howden gets the chance to make his Hurricanes debut at six.

Holland said he was thrilled to give TK the opportunity to debut.

“TK is a good Feilding boy who has done his time this year and has worked hard behind the scenes. We think it’s a good mix to throw his young talent in the back row with Dup’s and Ardie. It will be a formidable backrow, and a fantastic opportunity for him to debut against the Crusaders. We are confident he can do the job,” said Holland.

Jackson Garden-Bachop retains the number 10 jersey and once again partners Centurion TJ Perenara who became the Hurricanes all-time top try scorer last weekend against the Chiefs, dotting down his 57th try for the Club.

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An impressive performance against the Chiefs last weekend sees Jordie Barrett again start in the midfield at second-five, with Billy Proctor beside him at centre.

Last week, Barrett’s shift to 12 opened up an opportunity for Ruben Love to start at 15 – this week sees the starting spot awarded to Hamilton born fullback Josh Moorby with Love providing his game-finishing abilities off the bench.

“Jordie provided heaps of physicality for us last week. It was a good solid performance from him, so we are looking forward to seeing him back in the midfield this weekend.”

“Moorby has an awesome skillset. He understands the game and works really hard. He will do the right thing every time, as well as bring a fair bit of pace to everything he does, which we saw against Moana Pasifika. I am confident he will get the job done, either at full-back, or on the wing.” said Holland.

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Wes Goosen and Julian Savea round out the run-on side, with Jamie Booth adding impact alongside former Chiefs utility Bailyn Sullivan.

“This week we are looking for a bit of continuity, especially in that backline. We wanted to give a few guys the opportunity to really cement what they did last week, and it’s worth noting that we have a pretty exciting bench, with a few guys like Flanders, Boothie, Sullivan and Rubs busting for an opportunity.”

Hurricanes team to face the Crusaders:

1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
2 Asafo Aumua
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Te Kamaka Howden *
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Ardie Savea (c)
9 TJ Perenara
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
11 Wes Goosen
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Billy Proctor
14 Julian Savea
15 Josh Moorby

Replacements:
16 James O’Reilly
17 Alex Fidow
18 Tevita Mafileo
19 Caleb Delany
20 Devan Flanders
21 Jamie Booth
22 Bailyn Sullivan
23 Ruben Love

* Denotes debut

-Hurricanes/Press Release

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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