Jordie Barrett back for Canes

Not a bad call, that.

For whatever reason, Hurricanes lock Vaea Fifita hasn’t recaptured the Super Rugby form that saw him join the All Blacks as injury cover last year.

An injury suffered during the pre-season Brisbane Global Tens hasn’t helped Fifita. But nor, you suspect, has the drudgery of having to shift bodies from rucks as a tight forward.

Fifita is a dynamic, explosive athlete who made his name in Wellington club rugby as a No 8 and will now pack on the blindside of the scrum, when the Hurricanes meet the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning (NZ time). With Brad Shields at No.8 and Ardie Savea on the openside, Fifita might find himself in the position to show a fuller array of his many skills.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd noted after last week’s 61-7 win over the Cheetahs that Fifita hadn’t hit the heights of 2016 and this re-shuffle appeals as an attempt to help him do that.

Fifita’s shift to the loose trio sees Mark Abbott return to lock, after being given a spell against the Cheetahs. Prop Loni Uhila will make his second start of the season, at loosehead prop, while the exciting Jordie Barrett returns

to fullback.

Barrett was another player excused from starting duties against the Cheetahs, having featured in the run-on side all season. With him back, brother Beauden Barrett goes back to his regular spot at first five-eighth with Otere Black relegated to the bench.

The most significant inclusion in the reserves is that of flanker Callum Gibbins. He’s been battling a shoulder injury in recent weeks and had to give up his spot against the Cheetahs to Hugh Renton.

Gibbins might not generate many headlines, but he is an integral member of the squad in both a playing and planning sense.

The Hurricanes have met the Bulls 19 times in Super Rugby, winning 10 of those matches. Their overall record at Loftus Versfeld is played 10, won five.