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Peter Umaga-Jensen has been named to start for the Hurricanes against the Reds on Friday night, ready to make a long-awaited Super Rugby debut.
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The Umaga-Jensen twins Thomas and Peter, nephews of Hurricanes and All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, burst onto the national scene playing 1st XV rugby for Scots College in Wellington where they made back-to-back national championship games in 2014 and 2015, sharing a title with Hamilton Boys and losing to Rotorua Boys in the other.
Their exploits for Scots College saw them both earn selection in the New Zealand schoolboys and they have been on a path to professional rugby since. Peter debuted for the Wellington Lions in 2016, playing eight games before the Hurricanes moved to secure one of their best local talents. He was signed for the 2017 season but didn’t find his way onto the field. With Ngani Laumape being forced to stand-down under mandatory All Black resting requirements, Umaga-Jensen gets his chance now.
Head coach Chris Boyd expects the youngster to fit in nicely in a backline full of test experience.
“Pete’s a strong [ball] carrier. He’s got a very good passing game as well. He’s a good footballer,” he said.
“He’s got a near test-strength back line around him.
“There’s a massive amount of experience inside him with Beaudie, and also with Matt Proctor outside.”
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TJ Perenara has also been named to return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench against the Blues after over a month on the sidelines due to a knee injury. He will resume the captaincy duties after Brad Shields was named on the bench.
In other re-shuffling, Nehe Milner-Skudder moves to the wing in place of Julian Savea and Jordie Barrett moves from the bench to fullback.
Hurricanes team to face the Reds
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
13 Matt Proctor
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (c)
8 Blade Thomson
7 Ardie Savea
6 Reed Prinsep
5 Sam Lousi
4 Michael Fatialofa
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Toby Smith
Reserves
16 James O’Reilly
17 Chris Eves
18 Ben May
19 Vaea Fifita
20 Brad Shields
21 Jamie Booth
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop
23 Julian Savea
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