Hurricanes v Chiefs
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FIVE CHANGES TO HURRICANES FOR CHIEFS MATCH
The Hurricanes have made five changes to their starting XV as they go in search of six straight Investec Super Rugby wins when they host the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium on Friday night. Beauden Barrett has recovered from a minor leg injury that forced his late withdrawal from the side that beat the Sharks in dramatic fashion in Napier last week and will start at first five-eighth. In other changes, prop Toby Smith will make his first start since the opening Hurricanes match of the season against the Bulls having successfully completed his return to play protocols after suffering a head knock in Pretoria. His return pushes the well performed Chris Eves to the bench where he will provide even more experience to the front row cover along with Ben May. In the second row, Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has recalled Vaea Fifita after he started on the bench against the Sharks, with Michael Fatialofa moving to the reserves. There is also a change at halfback with TJ Perenara sidelined with a knee injury he sustained in the first half at Napier with Jamie Booth taking over and Richard Judd returning to the squad as cover in the reserves. Matt Proctor has recovered from a sternum injury he suffered in the Hurricanes win over the Highlanders on March 24 and will start at centre as Vince Aso moves out to the wing in place of Julian Savea who has a week off. In other changes to the bench, James O'Reilly replaces Asafo Aumua who has suffered a hand injury. The Hurricanes have won 19 of their last 21 matches at home, the only losses being against the Chiefs in 2016 and 2017. Friday's match will be Hurricanes No 8 Gareth Evans' 50th Super Rugby match. -
Gallagher Chiefs team named for Hurricanes clash
The Gallagher Chiefs face the Hurricanes this weekend in Wellington, the only New Zealand conference team the Gallagher Chiefs have yet to play so far this season. Both teams come into it with one opening round loss each, and five consecutive wins each. Head Coach Colin Cooper says that the team is in a good space for this upcoming challenge. “There is real clarity, consistency of game plan and of selection, and competition going on in the group. When you combine all of that with winning, it gives you confidence. Looking at our first game, we didn’t respond well to the pressure that the Crusaders put on us, whereas last week in the Blues game, we didn’t panic, our leaders took control and we just dug out a win against a dangerous Blues team. That was a big change for us to see as coaches.” Cooper has made just two changes to the starting fifteen this week, with Taleni Seu back at number 8, and Co-Captain Charlie Ngatai resuming action at fullback, with Solomon Alaimalo moving to the wing in place of the injured Toni Pulu. Alex Nankivell is on the bench again this week after a return from having his appendix removed. Cooper is aware of what the Hurricanes can bring. “Strategically, we understand that they are very expansive, with a good kicking and running game. We need to have the confidence to play our game when we have the ball. It’s important to do the work in the week and then when it comes to the game to be calm and controlled about it.” -
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@kiwimurph said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:
Wing Julian Savea is the other major absentee. He's been described as "crook, unwell" and hasn't trained this week. As per team policy, that means not being picked for the weekend.Ahh sweet. Didn't click in the link .
Poor copy and paste @Stargazer
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@hooroo said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:
@kiwimurph said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:
Wing Julian Savea is the other major absentee. He's been described as "crook, unwell" and hasn't trained this week. As per team policy, that means not being picked for the weekend.Ahh sweet. Didn't click in the link .
Poor copy and paste @Stargazer
No, good copy and paste from me; poor clicking on links from @Hooroo
If you click on the link, it goes to the Canes media release that doesn't contain that info. @KiwiMurph's quote comes from the article on stuff that @Tim just posted. -
@tim shit, hope TJ is only out for the 2 weeks rather than 8....
At which point Perenara limped up the stairs behind Boyd, with his left leg in a brace.
What have you got TJ?
"A graze on my knee. I'll be back in a couple of weeks," Perenara said.
Fingers crossed.
"The really interesting thing about TJ is they're not 100 per cent sure whether [the injury is] new or it's historical. TJ's Tj, so he thinks he'll be playing in two weeks time, but I think it's probably likely to be a little longer than that," said Boyd. -
@hooroo said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:
Stupidly optimistic about this which is completely daft as this is our first real test since our last real test which we lost.
because we have The Road Warriors, the Legion of Doom, the greatest tag team in rugby history. And they like nothing better than smashing the fuck out of fancy dans like the Hurricanes.
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@stargazer Beaver might get another call!
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@paekakboyz said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:
@stargazer Beaver might get another call!
Would be better than MMac
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