Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Hurricanes make 10 changes in starting XV for Drua

Kini Naholo of the Hurricanes. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

The Hurricanes take their perfect record and the confidence of a big win over the Chiefs to Suva in round nine, taking on a Drua team undefeated at home in 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

Head coach Clark Laidlaw has opted to make 10 changes to the starting XV for the game, with eight changes in personnel and changes in position for Kini Naholo and Josh Moorby.

Naholo has switched to the right wing, with Moorby stepping back to fullback. Salesi Rayasi is set to feature in the No. 11 jersey.

In the tight five, All Black prop Tyrel Lomax will be rested, making way for debutant prop Siale Lauaki, who has been named to feature off the bench. A second debut in the contest can be found in the starting XV, with lock Ben Grant named in the No. 4 jersey.

Asafo Aumua has made way for James O’Reilly at hooker, joining front-row partner Xavier Numia and Lauaki on the bench. Tevita Mafileo and Pasilio Tosi will start in the front row.

Flanker Duplessis Kirifi has been named for a hard-earned start in his familiar openside flanker role, with Peter Lakai landing a bench role in Suva.

Also rested for the contest is first five-eighth Brett Cameron, meaning Aidan Morgan lands an opportunity at 10. The familiar midfield of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor has been retained.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We’re looking forward to heading over to Suva and getting into our work,” Laidlaw said. “Last week was great for us to be able to get out in front of our home fans, and this week is an exciting challenge to head over to and take on the Drua. We know the challenge that awaits us and how strong they are at home in front of a passionate crowd.”

“It’s pleasing to see another couple of our squad set to make their debuts, with Ben Grant and Siale Lauaki coming into the side. Siale is a product of our Hurricanes development pathway and has a big future with our club after an outstanding U20 World Cup in 2023.”

Related

Hurricanes team to face the Fijian Drua

1.        Tevita Mafileo
2.        James O’Reilly
3.        Pasilio Tosi
4.        Ben Grant*
5.        Isaia Walker-Leawere
6.        Brad Shields (Captain)
7.        Du’Plessis Kirifi
8         Devan Flanders
9.        TJ Perenara
10.      Aidan Morgan
11.      Salesi Rayasi
12.      Jordie Barrett
13.      Billy Proctor
14.      Kini Naholo
15.      Josh Moorby

Reserves

16.      Asafo Aumua
17.      Xavier Numia
18.      Siale Lauaki*
19.      Caleb Delany
20.     Peter Lakai
21.      Richard Judd
22.      Ruben Love
23.      Bailyn Sullivan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

3 Comments
A
Aggie 343 days ago

I hope this a good thing making all these changes!

B
Brendon 343 days ago

Kini Naholo at 14 brings to memory Waisake.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
EllenMoody 2 hours ago
Great moments in Lions tour history – JPR’s drop goal and the All Blacks' brutal revenge

A Crypto Theft Victim's Journey: How Morphohack Cyber Service Restored My Assets

By: Ellen Moody, Crypto Investor and Advocate

I was left reeling after discovering that my digital wallet had been compromised, resulting in the loss of 39.5 Ethereum. This devastating experience left me desperate for a solution. I reached out to Morphohack Cyber Service. Their team responded with exceptional professionalism and expertise, promptly launching a comprehensive analysis of the blockchain network to track the stolen funds.

Their specialists employed cutting-edge blockchain analytics tools to follow the digital footprint, providing detailed explanations of their methods. It was evident that they possessed a profound understanding of hacker strategies and vulnerabilities. Despite encountering obstacles, they persevered, meticulously tracking the ETH as it navigated various wallets and tumblers.

Throughout the process, Morphohack Cyber Service maintained seamless communication, providing regular updates on the case. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in the successful recovery of 37 ETH, seized from the wallets holding my stolen assets.

I’m profoundly grateful for Morphohack Cyber Service expertise and genuine commitment to helping victims of crypto theft. Their specialized knowledge of blockchain forensics is unmatched. I highly recommend their services to anyone facing a similar situation. In the complex world of crypto, they are truly a trusted ally.

Need Help Recovering Stolen Crypto? Contact Morphohack Cyber Service:

Email: Morphohack@cyberservices.com

Info@morphohackcyber.com

Morphohackcyber.com

1 Go to comments
J
JWH 3 hours ago
'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Do you hear yourself? Do you have any concept of world view? Have you tried looking into why people call Ireland ‘arrogant’? Obviously not.


We started calling you arrogant when you called our captain a ‘shit Richie McCaw’. In New Zealand. On our turf. Don’t think that kind of behaviour really calls for respect, does it.


NZ don’t really talk ourselves up, if anything the rugby does it for us. No kiwi goes in the media and says: ‘We are gonna win the RWC’. However, I have found many instance of IRISH media saying that the Irish should win, without a doubt. THAT is disrespectful.


The All Blacks have played good rugby, even some of the best rugby ever, at many points in history, but I don’t think you could find a single instance of one of those players, or the NZ media, saying that they should whitewash their opponents. Ever.


Now, onto your analysis. Ireland DID choke the QF. They beat the champions, they were ranked first coming into it, a lot of players at the peaks of their powers. Its hard to say that they didn’t choke. Obviously, their preparation was just not as good as NZ, and thats all there really is to it.


If Ireland had repsected that ABs team and that QF more, maybe they would’ve prepared properly for it and won. But they didn’t.


Maybe if Ireland had won their QF last RWC, they wouldn’t have to be in the same pool as SA and Scotland. I mean, its called a draw for a reason. NZ got third last RWC, so of course they should get a reasonable pool, and they were ranked pretty highly too. If you want to talk about easy pools, look no further than Pool 3 with England, Australia, Fiji, and Georgia I think?


Now, obviously you don’t remember how that QF ended, so I’ll go ahead and rectify that. Ireland reclaimed the ball off kickoff and marched for 20ish phases into the opposition half. Savea then won a turnover, but the referee refused to give it, so play went on. Finally, at the NZ 22, after not giving up a single penatly in 25 phases of hard defense, Sam Whitelock, the most capped All Black of all time, wins the game with an incredible steal.


Now, NZ players having a go at Ireland. Do you cry when you get hit after making the first swing? We all know Sexton is a prick on the field, its just the truth. And Ioane never backs down from a clash, so he thought he should humble a player who has never won an international knockout game who thought he was all that. Don’t really see the issue, its poetic justice really.

83 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Chris Ashton: 'There's a lot of firepower out there but wings are not the highest-paid group. I wouldn’t have stood for it.' Chris Ashton: 'There's a lot of firepower out there but wings are not the highest-paid group. I wouldn’t have stood for it.'
Search