Hurricanes vs Waratahs
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The Hurricanes are back in action on Friday night to take on a Waratah's side fresh off a big win at home against the Brumbies.
Waratah's are also expecting Joseph Suaali'i to return so that will only bolster them further.
On the Canes front, it's widely expected that a few more players will return to bolster the ranks. Will we see Higgins and Proctor return? Higgins return date was this week so we will find out whether he's hit that mark. Proctor's injury is more of an unknown so whether he has recovered yet will be found out on Wednesday afternoon when the side is named.
Nevertheless, the Canes should be able to name their strongest side of the season so far with Aumua and Lomax expected to start. With the Blues and Crusaders proceeding this game, the Canes are now in must win territory.
My predicted 23 for this match is:
- Numia
- Aumua
- Lomax
- Delany
- Gallagher
- Shields
- Kirifi
- Lakai
- Roigard
- Godfrey
- Naholo
- Higgins (TBC)
- Proctor (TBC)
- Finenganofo/Banks
- Love
- Devery
- Mafileo
- Tosi
- Walker-Leawere
- Iose
- Vijoen
- Cashmore
- Umaga-Jensen
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@Machpants said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
I doubt they'll start both Higgins and Proctor even if available. Maybe one with the other on the bench. Obvs much better players but hard to start both midfielders with no warm up games like that.
If both are available I’d start Proctor and have Higgins on the bench. We really need Proctor’s defensive ability as we’ve been leaking points down the left edge all season. Getting at least one of them back this week is vital.
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There was a suggestion a couple of weeks ago that Proctor was in big trouble with his injury, possibly career threatening, now you guys are talking about his return. Has there been a change in his status?
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@Mr-Fish said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Sad to say the injury situation is actually worse for the Hurricanes now...
Apart from Godfrey, who is out now?
With all these injuries taking place at training, you've got to question what the hell is going on?
Good luck getting crowds to watch what will be a pretty B grade looking side for the rest of the season then.
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Hurricanes
Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Jordi Viljoen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks
Waratahs
Angus Bell, Julian Heaven, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton (c), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Archie Saunders, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Daniel Botha, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi
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Jeepers. Iose at 6, Hohepa starting, Punivai starting, no tosi on the bench? 2 wingers on the bench? if we come out of this with a W ill be pretty impressed
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@DurryMexted Tahs fielding a very green looking backline. Also a lazy TH.
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@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Jeepers. Iose at 6, Hohepa starting, Punivai starting, no tosi on the bench? 2 wingers on the bench? if we come out of this with a W ill be pretty impressed
Prolly just giving guys game time before Higgins comes back and they don't even need any other backs.
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@Bones said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Jeepers. Iose at 6, Hohepa starting, Punivai starting, no tosi on the bench? 2 wingers on the bench? if we come out of this with a W ill be pretty impressed
Prolly just giving guys game time before Higgins comes back and they don't even need any other backs.
Or forwards.
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Brett Cameron is running around at training atm so maybe we'll see him return early. Fingers crossed we get someone back from injury. Our only hope is that Hohepa picks up a niggle so someone like Harkin gets an opportunity playing his preferred position of 10.
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@Bovidae said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Cashmore is training and close to returning.
I hope they throw him the starting jersey, I mean despite being experienced, there aren't many more mediocre 10s than Hohepa.
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Who is actually the backup 10 there if Hohepa gets injured?
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@HugeCarrot2 Ruben Love.
