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Jordie Barrett set for positional switch for Hurricanes clash with Chiefs
By Ben Smith
Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett will make a move to the midfield as the Hurricanes prepare to take on the Chiefs at home in front of an unrestricted crowd for the first time this year.
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Head coach Jason Holland has named Barrett at second-five to take on the Chiefs’ All Black pairing of Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown and will be partnered by returning centre Billy Proctor.
Barrett’s move has opened up the fullback jersey for young Ruben Love, who will start in the 15 jersey for the first time after getting a number of matches at 10 last year. Wes Goosen and Julian Savea round out the back three for the Hurricanes.
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Last week’s debutant at first five, Aidan Morgan, drops out of the 23 to accomodate the return of Jackson Garden-Bachop to the starting side alongside the experience of halfback TJ Perenara in the halves.
Up front, Pouri Rakete-Stones returns to the starting line-up to bolster the front row alongside two All Blacks, hooker Asafo Aumua and prop Tyrel Lomax. Packing down in the second row is James Blackwell and Scott Scrafton.
The Hurricanes have named a strong back row with the return of Ardia Savea at No 8, who will captain the side, with Reed Prinsep and Du’Plessis Kirifi at 6 and 7.
Former Chief Bailyn Sullivan has been named on the bench to face his old team, while Josh Moorby provides back three cover. Halfback Jamie Booth will back-up Perenara on the bench.
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“It’s great to be playing on a Sunday afternoon to a home crowd. We can’t wait to see all our members, partners and families with kids return to the Stadium.”
“It’s going to be a really good occasion and a good opportunity for us to put a few things right, and what better to do that than in front of a live home crowd. It’s good motivation for us this weekend.”
Hurricanes team to face the Chiefs:
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
2 Asafo Aumua
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Reed Prinsep
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 Ruben Love
Replacements:
16 James O’Reilly
17 Xavier Numia
18 Tevita Mafileo
19 Caleb Delany
20 Devan Flanders
21 Jamie Booth
22 Bailyn Sullivan
23 Josh Moorby
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