Western Force v Hurricanes
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MILNER-SKUDDER TO RETURN FROM RESERVES AGAINST FORCE
Nehe Milner-Skudder's long-awaited return to rugby is the feature of the Hurricanes team named to play the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made six changes to the team that started against the Bulls in Pretoria with three in the backs and three in the forwards.
However, it is Milner-Skudder's presence in in the reserves that stands out in the match day 23.
The mercurial outside back has not played since breaking two bones in his foot against the Chiefs in Hamilton back in round three.
"It's great to have Nehe back in the mix. I know he's worked extremely hard during his rehab and he can't wait to pull on the Hurricanes jersey and get back into the campaign," Boyd said.
After missing the opening match of the season with a minor hamstring strain, Milner-Skudder started at fullback against the Rebels and lasted 54 minutes against the Chiefs before a defender landed heavily on his foot.
The outside back isn't the only player returning in Perth with first five Beauden Barrett back in the No.10 jersey after being withdrawn from the Hurricanes match against the Bulls as a precaution after reporting headaches in South Africa.
Boyd said Barrett passed his concussion protocols and satisfied the medical team he was symptom free and ready to play.
Barrett takes over from Otere Black in running a backline that includes Cory Jane on the right wing in place of the injured Wes Goosen (shoulder) and Ben Lam on the left for Julian Savea, who now looks set to play his 100th match for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs in Wellington next Friday.
In the forwards Callum Gibbins replaces Ardie Savea at openside, Reed Prinsep starts at blindside, and Ben May takes over at tight head prop from Jeff To'omaga-Allen.
Prinsep's return to the starting team pushes Vaea Fifita back to lock and allows Mark Abbott to ease onto the reserves where To'omaga-Allen appears for the first time after starting the first 12 matches of the season.
The Hurricanes team to play the Force at nib Stadium on Saturday, June 3 (Kick-off 11.55pm NZT):
1 Loni Uhila, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Ben May, 4. Sam Lousi, 5. Vaea Fifita, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Brad Shields
9 TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Vince Aso, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Jordie BarrettReserves:
16 Leni Apisai, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Otere Black, 23. Nehe Milner-Skudder -
Great to see Nehe back.
Hopefully they play him at 14 next week against the Chiefs with Jordie at Fullback.
Cory Jane on the other hand would prefer to see him playing for the Upper Hutt Rams in the Hardham Cup this year. I don't think he justifies a spot anymore.
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Will try to stay awake.
Nice try already by Canes. TJP and JB set up Laumape for his 133th try of the season.
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@Rembrandt said in Western Force v Hurricanes:
How good is Laumape. Gotta be close to AB frame, just offers a tackle busting ability our current centres don't have.
He's only 177cm but just as wide. Must be a nightmare to tackle.
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Getting a bit too fancy.
Just do the basics and they'll fuck these guys up by halftime.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel massive improvements from last year. I see some nonu in him
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@Bones said in Western Force v Hurricanes:
Shields with a couple of displays of his supreme ball handling skills.
It's a shame, because he's been pulling off the hits.
Nice scrum!
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Why do shit like that? Bloody hell.
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That Ruru ain't bad. Wallabies could do worse.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Western Force v Hurricanes:
That Ruru ain't bad. Wallabies could do worse.
A NZ franchise should bring him back to NZ!
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@Stargazer said in Western Force v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Western Force v Hurricanes:
That Ruru ain't bad. Wallabies could do worse.
A NZ franchise should bring him back to NZ!
Of course he's from NZ! Bloody hell. Have the force ever had an Aus sh?
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Dammit Farce, just score ffs. How many more chances do you want?
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@Rancid-Schnitzel Dunno, but this is only Ruru's first season in Oz. Didn't make the Magpies/Canes, but they're crazy if they don't try to get him back. Not Wallabies eligible yet.
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@Stargazer @Rancid-Schnitzel
I think Ruru did play for the Magpies, not often though, and of course overlooked for the brilliance of Eaton. How long did Alby play for the Force? If they really wanted a 9 from the Bay then they should have taken Eaton.
