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Today

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Today

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Super Rugby Pacific

Hurricanes ‘really keen’ to return home against Moana Pasifika this weekend

By Finn Morton

10 May 2023

Ardie Savea of the Hurricanes leads his team off the field after warming up during the round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match between Hurricanes and ACT Brumbies at Sky Stadium, on April 28, 2023, in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Coming off their shock loss to the Fijian Drua last weekend, the Hurricanes have made six changes to their run-on side to take on the Moana Pasifika in Wellington.

Back at Sky Stadium with a family-friendly kick-off time of 4.35pm NZST on Saturday, the Hurricanes have made some intriguing changes to their team.

All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Dane Coles are both unavailable this week, so hooker Jacob Devery is set for his first start of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Devery will pack down in the front row alongside Tevita Mafileo and Tyrel Lomax, while James Blackwell is also set to take his place in the run-on side at lock.

The Hurricanes certainly pack a punch in their backrow, though, with coach Jason Holland turning to his familiar loose forward trio of Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi and captain Ardie Savea.

Jamie Booth is back in the No. 9 jersey this week, and will start alongside rising star Aidan Morgan in the halves.

New Zealand under-20s star Harry Godfrey is also set to return to the run-on side, having been given the nod to start at fullback.

Coach Jason Holland said the Hurricanes are “really keen” to play in front of their home fans this weekend.

“The fans in Fiji were absolutely amazing but the boys are really keen to get back out in front of home fans this weekend,” Holland said in a statement.

“A family-friendly kick-off is a great opportunity for the fans to get their families together and get behind the boys.”

The Hurricanes’ match against Moana Pasifika is set to kick-off at 4.35pm NZST on Saturday afternoon at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

Hurricanes team to take on Moana Pasifika

Tevita Mafileo
Jacob Devery
Tyrel Lomax
James Blackwell
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Devan Flanders
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Ardie Savea (c)
Jamie Booth
Aidan Morgan
Kini Naholo
Jordie Barrett
Billy Proctor
Salesi Rayasi
Harry Godfrey

Replacements:

Hame Faiva
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Pasilio Tosi
Caleb Delany
Brayden Iose
Logan Henry
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Josh Moorby

Unavailable: Ruben Love, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, TJ Perenara, Brett Cameron, Daniel Sinkinson, Bailyn Sullivan, Dane Coles, Asafo Aumua

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Comments on RugbyPass

Bull Shark 14 minutes ago

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

Uhh, he was playing inside centre?

Do you understand the role of a 12?

2 Go to comments

Bull Shark 21 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

"aside from winning RWCs and playing some really good rugby?"

What a doos.

11 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 24 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well if you’re correct in that assertion then it blows up all of the numbers in the original post that came from, do you recognise the overall number or even the 300k residual for senior male player numbers in SA?

Tbf, even 300k senior players is an impressive resource, particularly if there is a residual of untapped school talent that could be developed if required and resources allow.

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 44 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Now that is a slam dunk response right there!!!

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 46 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I’d say SA continuation is pretty much a slam dunk. They have brought much to the table in the URC with revenue growth, fan engagement and player enjoyment - yes, this is a factor too! On top of that there is still much headroom for further growth, both in the URC and especially with EPCR. The only resistance to SA teams comes from the English at present, mainly because they can’t win the CC any longer and their clubs are in real financial shit, but their recent overtures were firmly rejected.

I can only see great things on the horizon for SA inclusion in the URC and EPCR, if the right format adjustments are made. But if they are, then further success will follow and there is a strong likelihood that 6N becomes 7N as well.

174 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 57 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Great post and spot on in your analysis about generations to develop African rugby. There’s a strong argument to say that pursuing the successful URC path they’re already on and getting the EPCR comps to do similar will provide a role model for African countries AND fund SA activities, such as the development tours to Arg you mention, to help grow African rugby in parallel.

174 Go to comments

DH 1 hour ago

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

That's twice he has tried to run at forwards and got his butt kicked. This isn't school boy rugby anymore. Give the ball to the forwards to take up and manage your runners outside of you. Ask Pollard for advice on how, if you don't understand

2 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Pure fantasy JW.

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Yes that comment bewildered me too! The Rand in bad shape.

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

“I think if you asked me that question maybe three years ago or when I first left Australia, I had so much, I suppose, animosity or professional anger inside of me just because I felt like maybe my talent really wasn’t looked after in Australia.

“But to be honest now I feel like I am where I’m supposed to be, like here in Scotland. And I feel like all those things that happened early in my career were meant to happen because now I’m sitting here talking to you guys in the position that I am.”

From the horse's mouth. It's a better rugby destination.

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That's a bit of a "NZ" only problem, because those players need to reach such a high standard to be chosen by the All Blacks, were as a country like Ireland wants them a lot earlier like that.

Nah. Ireland had to put in a lot of work on guys like JGP and Lowey to get them to the standard expected. There were areas of their game that were sub-par when they first came over from NZ.

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

They don't go for money, but for lifestyle, and NZ uses PI's a resource like everyone else. They don't belong to you.

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well I'm happy for it to go on until it naturally stops tbh.

Who on earth fo you think you represent JW?🤣

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

James Lowe is a great example. He may have some Irish ancestors, but he was born, raised, and developed in NZ, and for all intents and purposes is a Kiwi. However, when he was ignored by selectors, he moved to Ireland and only had to wait 5 years before he could play for a different nation. If thats not ridiculous, I don't know what is.

On very thin ice there. I can still recall Frank Bunce , Alama Ieremia, Tuigamala and the Bachops playing for both PI's and NZ in their Test careers! They were interchangeable.

Most guys at this level now are multi-qualified.

And much of Lowe's development as a player occurred at Leinster, so why wouldn't Ireland profit from it?

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

One of OJohn's Kiwi coaching 'moles'!

174 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Stop talking nonsense JW.

174 Go to comments