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New captain as Hurricanes make mass changes again to starting side

By Finn Morton

01 May 2024

Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images

Billy Proctor will captain a new-look Hurricanes team on Friday night with coach Clark Laidlaw once again making mass changes to the starting side following the loss to the Brumbies on Saturday.

Proctor, who was included in the Hurricanes’ match-day squad to take on the Brums, returns as one of nine changes to the starting side alone.

The 24-year-old replaces Peter Umaga-Jensen in the No.13 jumper and will partner rising star Riley Higgins in the midfield. Richard Judd comes in at halfback, and outside backs Bailyn Sullivan and Josh Moorby have been named on the wings.

There are a further four changes in the forward pack with Pouri Rakete-Stones, Devan Flanders and Peter Lakai all being named in the Hurricanes’ First XV to take on the visiting NSW Waratahs at the Cake Tin.

Kianu Kereru-Symes is set to make his first start for the Hurricanes at hooker with Justin Sangster dropping back to the bench.

Coach Laidlaw has packed a punch with the Hurricanes bench though with the likes of Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett and Salesi Rayasi all in line to come off the bench.

“Given the intensity which the game is played at, we’re really pleased with the balance of our squad, the management as a whole, from coaches, to media and S&C have done an amazing job to keep the men fresh and ready to play well,” coach Laidlaw said in a statement.

“It’s always nice to get home and play in front of our home fans – it’s something we never take for granted and to be able to welcome all our local junior Hurricanes into the stadium is something we’re really looking forward to.”

Pouri Rakete-Stones joins Kian Kereru-Symes and All Black Tyre Lomax in the front-row, while Caleb Delany will pack down alongside Isaia Walker-Leawere as the two locks. The returning Devan Flanders joins Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose in a tough loose forwards trio.

In the backs, Richard Judd will partner one-Test All Black Brett Cameron in the halves. With Higgins and captain Proctor in the midfield, there should be plenty of opportunities for the outside backs to shine.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

60%

Bailyn Sullivan is on the left wing with Josh Moorby on the right, and Ruben Love – who is widely considered an All Black-in-waiting – will wear the No. 15 jersey as the fullback once again.

Hurricanes team to take on the Waratahs

Pouri Rakete-Stones
Kianu Kereru-Symes
Tyrel Lomax
Caleb Delany
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Devan Flanders
Peter Lakai
Brayden Iose
Richard Judd
Brett Cameron
Bailyn Sullivan
Riley Higgins
Billy Proctor (c)
Josh Moorby
Ruben Love

Replacements

Raymond Tuputupu
Xavier Numia
Pasilio Tosi
Justin Sangster
Du’Plessis Kirifi
TJ Perenara
Jordie Barrett
Salesi Rayasi

Unavailable for selection: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, James O’Reilly

Comments

1 Comment

Charis 378 days ago

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 3 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 3 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍