Hurricanes v Sharks
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Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett
14 Julian Savea
13 Vince Aso
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara
8 Gareth Evans
7 Sam Henwood
6 Brad Shields (c)
5 Sam Lousi
4 Michael Fatialofa
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Chris EvesReserves
16 Asafo Aumua
17 Fraser Armstrong
18 Ben May
19 Vaea Fifita
20 Reed Prinsep
21 Jamie Booth
22 Ihaia West
23 Wes GoosenThe Hurricanes have again made minimal changes to their squad as they prepare to face the Sharks in their Investec Super Rugby match at Napier's McLean Park on Friday night. With four straight wins, the Hurricanes sit jointly on top of the New Zealand conference with the Crusaders having played one less match. Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has opted to make just two changes from the side that beat the Rebels 50-19 in Melbourne last Friday. Both are in the pack where All Blacks prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen replaces Ben May while lock Michael Fatialofa comes in for Vaea Fifita. Fatialofa and Toomaga-Allen both came off the bench in Melbourne and May and Fifita will simply make a swap for them, giving the Hurricanes the same match-day 23 as the last round. Openside flanker Sam Henwood, who impressed in his Hurricanes debut against the Rebels, will line up for a second match running as Ardie Savea continues to recover from a rib injury. Matt Proctor also continues to make good progress from a similar injury Savea suffered against the Highlanders. The Hurricanes will arrive in Napier on Thursday and will hold an open training run at Havelock North's Anderson Park between 4pm and 5.30pm. -
@stargazer That is one hell of a backline.....
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I expect with the confidence the Blues gave the Sharks this could be a good game of rugby!
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@taniwharugby Indeed. Really looking forward to this one
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@shadowtrooper said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
@stargazer That is one hell of a backline.....
I am not convinced by Vince Aso playing in midfield. He is better suited to the wing IMO.
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I worry a bit about Aso's defense at 13, but on attack that backline unmatched in SR. The challenge for the Canes, as we saw last week against the Rebels, is to ensure we do the basics well first before trying to run up a cricket score.
And I expect us to do just that against the Sharks, their defense is woeful.
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@KiwiMurph Proctor to 13 when he returns and Aso to 14 would be ideal (Aso is a great finisher).
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I didn't see any of last weekends matches, with Easter travel and pub visiting taking priority. I see in the article above they mention that Henwood impressed in the Rebels game. What is the feeling from those that watched it?
IMO he is more a Todd type 7 than a Cane or Ardie. Is that how it came across in a super game? -
@kiwimurph said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
Canes backline could be improved further by upgrading the 14.
Yes, they should finally cap Jonah Lowe, or at least name him on the bench.
I warned you all at the beginning of the season that I would post this repeatedly, because I didn't expect him to be capped any time soon. Unfortunately, that expectation is still holding true. Stuff the Canes.
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@stargazer Has Jonah Lowe played for the Canes Dev team? The Chiefs could sure use a handy midfielder right now.
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@shadowtrooper Yes, he played for them a few weeks ago against Blues 'A'. He got injured in that game, but I think he has been training with the team since then, so I don't think it was a serious injury.
We'll find out when we see the team list for the Canes Dev team that will play the curtain raiser this Friday against Chiefs Dev. If he's fit, he'll play.
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@crucial said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
I didn't see any of last weekends matches, with Easter travel and pub visiting taking priority. I see in the article above they mention that Henwood impressed in the Rebels game. What is the feeling from those that watched it?
IMO he is more a Todd type 7 than a Cane or Ardie. Is that how it came across in a super game?Glad to see he made the transition well. He is a class player at the next level down.
So Ardie to 8 or 12? -
The usual article that the Canes put on their website and social media, whenever they play in the Bay.
Hawke’s Bay has always been an important part of the Hurricanes club since its inception in 1996. That has included not only playing an important part on the Hurricanes schedule list but also providing some of its most influential players. From former captain Norm Hewitt, a foundation player at the Hurricanes, to current squad members Ihaia West, Gareth Evans and Ben May. Hawke’s Bay’s premier holiday resort, Kennedy Park, has also had a close association with the Hurricanes and to celebrate that we have put together an all time Canes Magpies XV. Selection was not easy, however, especially with the calibre of players available in the same position. There was a couple of positons that were slightly thin on options so some players, like Daniel Kirkpatrick, is slightly out of position in the XV. Starting at the back, we have chosen former Havelock North High School fullback Jarrod Cunninghman who sadly left us back in 2007. Cunningham, one of Hawke’s Bay’s favourite sons, was one of the most under-rated footballers of his era and deservedly would wear the No 15 jersey and be tasked with the goal kicking. He would be flanked on the wings by Robbie Fruean and former All Black Zac Guildford. The midfield would feature Magpie stalwart Richard Buckman and Kirkpatrick while Ihaia West and Danny Lee form the halves pairing. The pack is a formidable one with Gareth Evans playing off the back of the scrum with fellow loose forwards Karl Lowe and Mike Coman. The locks features another Evans, in Bryn, who would have played more games for the Hurricanes had he not headed overseas while he is joined in the second row by Mark Abbott, one of the Magpies best, while Ben Franks and Ben May are the two props selected. That leaves hooker where Hewitt takes the No 2 jersey as well as the captaincy. Kennedy Park Canes Magpies XV: Jarrod Cunningham, Robbie Fruean, Richard Buckman, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Zac Guildford, Ihaia West, Danny Lee, Gareth Evans, Karl Lowe, Mike Coman, Bryn Evans, Mark Abbott, Ben May, Norm Hewitt ©, Ben Franks
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@crucial said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
@crucial said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
I didn't see any of last weekends matches, with Easter travel and pub visiting taking priority. I see in the article above they mention that Henwood impressed in the Rebels game. What is the feeling from those that watched it?
IMO he is more a Todd type 7 than a Cane or Ardie. Is that how it came across in a super game?Glad to see he made the transition well. He is a class player at the next level down.
So Ardie to 8 or 12?Probably should put Ardie to 8 to keep @Stargazer happy.
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@stargazer Franks, May, Coman - needing a few Nelson ring ins?
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes v Sharks:
The usual article that the Canes put on their website and social media, whenever they play in the Bay.
Hawke’s Bay has always been an important part of the Hurricanes club since its inception in 1996. That has included not only playing an important part on the Hurricanes schedule list but also providing some of its most influential players. From former captain Norm Hewitt, a foundation player at the Hurricanes, to current squad members Ihaia West, Gareth Evans and Ben May. Hawke’s Bay’s premier holiday resort, Kennedy Park, has also had a close association with the Hurricanes and to celebrate that we have put together an all time Canes Magpies XV. Selection was not easy, however, especially with the calibre of players available in the same position. There was a couple of positons that were slightly thin on options so some players, like Daniel Kirkpatrick, is slightly out of position in the XV. Starting at the back, we have chosen former Havelock North High School fullback Jarrod Cunninghman who sadly left us back in 2007. Cunningham, one of Hawke’s Bay’s favourite sons, was one of the most under-rated footballers of his era and deservedly would wear the No 15 jersey and be tasked with the goal kicking. He would be flanked on the wings by Robbie Fruean and former All Black Zac Guildford. The midfield would feature Magpie stalwart Richard Buckman and Kirkpatrick while Ihaia West and Danny Lee form the halves pairing. The pack is a formidable one with Gareth Evans playing off the back of the scrum with fellow loose forwards Karl Lowe and Mike Coman. The locks features another Evans, in Bryn, who would have played more games for the Hurricanes had he not headed overseas while he is joined in the second row by Mark Abbott, one of the Magpies best, while Ben Franks and Ben May are the two props selected. That leaves hooker where Hewitt takes the No 2 jersey as well as the captaincy. Kennedy Park Canes Magpies XV: Jarrod Cunningham, Robbie Fruean, Richard Buckman, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Zac Guildford, Ihaia West, Danny Lee, Gareth Evans, Karl Lowe, Mike Coman, Bryn Evans, Mark Abbott, Ben May, Norm Hewitt ©, Ben FranksI hope @Nepia gets some tissues ready before reading this post....
