Milner-skudder poised to return at 10-a-side
Nehe Milner-skudder represents one good reason to watch the Brisbane Global Tens.
Broadcast details for the February 11-12 tournament are yet to be confirmed, although the plan was for it to be shown free-to-air. Whoever wins the rights will get the privilege of shooting Milnerskudder’s return to big-time rugby.
The Hurricanes and All Blacks star hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder on March 11, but is set to be the Super Rugby champions’ star turn in Brisbane.
Milner-skudder is scheduled to take a limited part in the Hurricanes’ pre-season clash with the Blues in Auckland on February 4, before giving the Tens a redhot go.
From there the Hurricanes meet the Crusaders in Waverley, then travel to Tokyo for the first game of their title defence, against the Sunwolves.
After spending most of this year doing lonely rehab work in the gym, Milner-skudder has relished taking a full part in Hurricanes training over the past two weeks. That just leaves one final hurdle to be negotiated.
‘‘To be honest I’m chomping at the bit to get back on the field. To be able to test myself in a tournament like the Tens will be perfect timing, just a few weeks out from the start of our Super season,’’ Milner-skudder said.
He had hoped to return to rugby, via the provincial stage. Prove his form and fitness with Manawatu and Milner-skudder was confident he’d be up to an endof-year tour with the All Blacks.
In the end a more cautious approach was settled upon and the 25-year-old will be part of the 26-strong squad the Hurricanes take to Brisbane.
Eighteen players will strip for each match, with the Hurricanes due to meet the Western Force, Highlanders and Toulon in pool play.
The Hurricanes’ All Blacks aren’t due to rejoin the squad until the Crusaders clash in Waverley, although Tens organisers Duco Events will no doubt be eager to see Beauden Barrett or Ardie and Julian Savea running around Suncorp Stadium.
Milner-skudder’s confident it’s a format the Hurricanes can thrive in, no matter who’s in the squad.
‘‘Tens isn’t something most of us get to play too often, so we are all looking forward to giving it a go. Having less numbers means there’ll be less space so that’ll make for plenty of ball movement and guys backing themselves,’’ he said.
In terms of the 15-a-side portion of the Hurricanes’ pre-season programme, it’ll be a fairly makeshift line-up that meets the Blues. Head coach Chris Boyd has already described the match as an important outing for players such as back-up first five-eighth Otere Black.
The team should be at full strength for the Crusaders game, with the venue as intriguing as anything else.
Taranaki aren’t part of the Hurricanes region anymore having thrown their lot in with the Chiefs - so a match on the Border Rugby Club’s No 1 Field is as close as fans from slightly further north will get to seeing Beauden Barrett play at home.