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Marshall given 10 jersey as Beauden Barrett sits out match with Jaguares

James Marshall in action for the Hurricanes. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images )

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has made just two changes to the starting XV to face the Jaguares in the round 14 Investec Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium on Friday night.

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The experienced James Marshall will start at first five-eighth in the absence of Beauden Barrett who is on the second of his All Black rest weeks while Du’Plessis Kirifi will start at openside flanker.

Marshall, who will make his 49th appearance for the Hurricanes, has impressed off the bench after returning from the shoulder injury he suffered in round one and gives the side maturity in a pivotal position.

Kirifi’s inclusion sees Ardie Savea move to No 8 with Reed Prinsep unavailable after he suffered a bad cut to his face in the Hurricanes 22-12 win over the Blues last round.

There are four changes to the bench from last week with Heiden Bedwell-Curtis providing loose forward cover, Chris Eves comes in for an injured Fraser Armstrong while Fletcher Smith and Salesi Rayasi come into the match day squad.

Plumtree was impressed with the overall work of the whole squad at Eden Park and the impact they got off the bench against a really physical Blues side.

“We are expecting the same sort of physical challenge from the Jaguares who showed last year and last week against the Highlanders that they can perform really well in New Zealand,” he said.

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“They also play a really entertaining style of rugby and are prepared to use the ball from anyone on the field so our defence is going to have to be really good again this week.

“We really want to end this block of five games on a high in front of our fans and head into the bye week in good shape.”

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, James Marshall, TJ Perenara (c), Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Asafo Aumua, Toby Smith. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Ross Geldenhuys, Kane Le’aupepe, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Finlay Christie, Fletcher Smith, Salesi Rayasi.

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Nickers 26 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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