I'm starting this post early because we've finally been beaten. I don't think it's panic stations but the Hurricanes will be eager to hit straight back on Friday with a strong performance against the Tahs.
Assuming Moorby and Proctor come back into the fray I think we should be playing our best 23 possible. Anyone that needs a rest can wait until Moana Pasifika which is after the Blues game in a couple weeks.
The only ?? is O'Reilly, I assume he won't be available for the Tahs based on the fact he failed HIA protocols and didn't return to play, therefore he will have a week off.
I'm also going to go with a 6-2 split on the bench. The Tahs strength is their loose forward trio so I'd put plenty of resource into slowing them down there.
My 23 for the Tahs on Friday would be:
- X Numia
- R Tuputupu
- T Lomax
- C Delany
- I Walker-Leawere
- B Shields (C)
- P Lakai
- B Iose
- T Perenara
- B Cameron
- K Naholo
- J Barrett
- B Proctor
- J Moorby
- R Love
- H Press (started for the Hunters on Friday so I assume he's next man up). He had massive wraps on him in Wellington before he went down to Otago. He played for the Highlanders Under 20 side last year but now he's back in Wellington playing well for HOBM.
- T Mafileo
- P Tosi
- J Sangster
- D Flanders
- D Kirifi
- R Judd
- B Sullivan/Riley Higgins