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TJ Perenara returns as Hurricanes hand rookie first-five starting debut

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes will welcome the return of star halfback TJ Perenara from injury when they face Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Friday.

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Perenara hasn’t played for the Hurricanes since 2020 after departing the franchises to play for the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in last year’s Top League, but returned to Wellington for this year’s Super Rugby Pacific.

However, the 78-test All Black hasn’t featured for the Hurricanes this season after sustaining a knee injury during pre-season, but has recovered to make his first appearance in the yellow-and-black No 9 jersey in 2022.

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Perenara will form a brand new halves pairing with debutant first-five Aidan Morgan, a national age-grade star who has represented New Zealand at schoolboy and U20 level in recent years.

The 20-year-old pivot played for the Hurricanes U20 team at last year’s inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa U20 series before going on to sign a three-year deal with the franchise.

The selection of Perenara and Morgan at halfback and first-five, respectively, represents two of 10 changes from the Hurricanes starting lineup that last played against the Highlanders in Wellington three weeks ago.

In addition to Morgan, head coach Jason Holland has named a further two starting debutants in the form of ex-Highlanders midfielder Teihorangi Walden and wing Josh Moorby.

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Walden forms one half of a new midfield partnership that also includes one-test All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen at centre, while Moorby joins Wes Goosen as the newbies in an outside back trio that features All Blacks star Jordie Barrett.

Up front, All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua and loosehead prop Xavier Numia accompany All Blacks tighthead Tyrel Lomax in the front row, while lock Scott Scrafton replaces James Blackwell in the second row.

Blindside flanker Reed Prinsep retains his place on the side of the scrum, and has been named captain for this week’s match following the demotion of  All Blacks star Ardie Savea to the bench.

Savea’s place at No 8 has been take by Braydon Iose, while Blake Gibson replaces Du’Plessis Kirifi at openside flanker.

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Savea is one of seven new faces on the bench, one of whom is debutant lock Tom Parsons, with another being halfback Cam Roigard, who joins Perenara in making his return from a lengthy injury lay-off.

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Hooker James O’Reilly, prop Alex Fidow, first-five Ruben Love and wing Salesi Rayasi are also included in the reserves, with tighthead prop Tevita Mafileo the sole survivor on the bench from his side’s 21-14 victory over the Highlanders.

In a statement, Holland said this week’s fixture against Moana Pasifika provides his side with a good chance to hand some game time to players who are yet to take to the field this year, and that he is excited to see his debutants in action.

“Friday is a fantastic opportunity for all four who have trained well and been dying to get a crack,” Holland said.

“Aidan has been in our environment for a couple of years now and has all the skills and a great head on his shoulders. Teihorangi has been a very popular member of our squad since day one of pre-season and I can’t wait to see him in action.

Moorby has also earned the respect of the squad really quickly and is an exciting prospect anywhere in the back three. Tom will make his debut off the bench, and has brought some great experience into our pack.”

Kick-off for Friday’s match at Mt Smart Stadium is scheduled for 7:05pm NZT.

Hurricanes team to play Moana Pasifika

1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Caleb Delany
5. Scott Scrafton
6. Reed Prinsep (c)
7. Blake Gibson
8. Braydon Iose
9. TJ Perenara
10. Aidan Morgan
11. Wes Goosen
12. Teihorangi Walden
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen
14. Josh Moorby
15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves

16. James O’Reilly
17. Alex Fidow
18. Tevita Mafileo
19. Tom Parsons
20. Ardie Savea
21. Cam Roigard
22. Ruben Love
23. Salesi Rayasi

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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