Crusaders vs. Hurricanes
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Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith.
Reserves: James O'Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Murray Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Finlay Christie, Ihaia West, Jonah Lowe. -
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NEW MIDFIELD COMBINATION TO FACE THE CRUSADERS
The Hurricanes will field a new midfield combination when they travel south to meet the defending Investec Super Rugby champion Crusaders on Friday night. Recently named All Black Jordie Barrett will move from fullback to centre to partner Ngani Laumape after Matt Proctor has failed to recover from a sternum injury he suffered in the Hurricanes win over the Reds last round. While yet to play first class rugby at centre, Barrett has trained in the position throughout the season and Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd feels he will have little trouble adapting to the role. Barrett's move into the midfield sees Nehe Milner-Skudder switch from the wing to fullback, a position he was more than comfortable with. That change sees the experienced Julian Savea move back to the right wing after he came off the bench against the Reds last week. Boyd has made two changes to the pack with captain Brad Shields coming back into the starting XV while Michael Fatialofa has recovered from a knee complaint that kept him out of the side last week. There are a further three changes on the bench where the halves pairing of Finlay Christie and Ihaia West are recalled while Jonah Lowe could make his debut for the Hurricanes after also being named in the reserves. Boyd said the squad was excited about the opportunity to meet the Crusaders again this season with top spot on the table up for grabs for the winner. -
Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd (captain), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Mike Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Chris King, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor. -
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@bones said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
Well done Jonah Lowe.
Looking forward to seeing how Jordie goes. I get the feeling senior rugby is quite different from age grade.
So I assume Aso, Goosen, Umaga-Jensen and Boyd's grandmother must all be injured for Lowe to get a run.
Has Jordie played 13 or was he usually a 12?
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@nepia said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
@bones said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
Well done Jonah Lowe.
Looking forward to seeing how Jordie goes. I get the feeling senior rugby is quite different from age grade.
So I assume Aso, Goosen, Umaga-Jensen and Boyd's grandmother must all be injured for Lowe to get a run.
Has Jordie played 13 or was he usually a 12?
Nah, their quota are still intact. They left Evans out of the squad.
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@shark said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
Did I hear somewhere - maybe RS - that Jordies' favoured position is centre?? Scary stuff.
12 not 13 but he's getting closer!
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Scott Robertson just said on Sky's Team Talk that Taufua is out of tomorrow's game with a calf injury (suffered at the ABs camp; I forgot what he called it; didn't sound like something serious). Pete Samu replaces him and Etan Blackadder gets a spot on the bench.
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Jordie has played senior rugby at centre.
I reckon he’s got the attacking game to be an excellent centre. He’s a better front on tackler than chaser IMO, so being in the line probably suits him better as well.
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No Moody, Franks, Whitelock, Taufua, Read, Crotty, Dagg... it’s only the Canes I guess
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
No Moody, Franks, Whitelock, Taufua, Read, Crotty, Dagg... it’s only the Canes I guess
Good to get your excuses in early I guess.
Does this become a pivotal game table wise? I haven't looked that closely. -
@toddy said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
Calf muscle injuries have always been the bane of short people. He probably did it competing with Ardie to see who could be the first to hit 1.90m.
All that standing on tip toes whenever photographers are lurking around
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@act-crusader said in Crusaders vs. Hurricanes:
Jordie has played senior rugby at centre.
I reckon he’s got the attacking game to be an excellent centre. He’s a better front on tackler than chaser IMO, so being in the line probably suits him better as well.
I'm excited to see how he goes at 13, he is very good at setting up his outsides when hitting the line from fullback, be interesting to see how he goes at center, he can offload pretty well in the tackle from what I have seen.
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@crucial Yeah - the Canes win this one (which they surely will) then they're 2-4 points ahead and also with a game in hand.
Worrying thing for the Crusaders is that we're unlikely to get too many of the missing guys back for the Highlanders the following week.
Perry also missing from ACT's list of ABs - and half a dozen others....
