Armstrong enjoying time with Hurricanes
Fraser Armstrong is revelling in learning from the experienced front rowers at the Hurricanes.
The Manawatu¯ prop, who is in his second full year with the Hurricanes, is on the bench for their Super Rugby pre-season clash against the Blues at Mangatainoka today.
Armstrong, 26, had a 10-minute cameo against the Crusaders in Levin last weekend. He was used sparingly because his wife just gave birth to their daughter, so he has missed some trainings.
Armstrong played nine games for the Hurricanes last year, having been with the wider training squad the year before. He loved being with the team full time and learning from experienced props.
Also on the Hurricanes books are
Toby Smith (102 Super
Rugby games), Jeff To’omaga-allen (101 games), Ben May (113 games) and Chris Eves (78 games).
Armstrong said he was new to the environment, but they all push each other. He’s also enjoying working with scrum coach Dan Cron.
‘‘It’s really good. We’re all helping each other and giving each other feedback.’’
With those old heads in front of him it could be hard for Armstrong to nail down regular game time, but he hoped he would get a run.
‘‘I’ll put my best foot forward. You play as well as you can and get as much game time as you can.’’
Armstrong said the whole team was happy to finally play last weekend after a long and arduous spell of pre-season training. ‘‘It was by far the toughest pre-season training I’ve ever been involved with. All the boys are hanging out to play footy and have fun.’’
He said Super Rugby was a step up in speed and physicality from provincial level.
‘‘You’ve got to nail your stuff and know your roles. You can’t be stuffing up roles that might happen in Mitre 10 Cup. You can’t mess your role up.’’
New coach John Plumtree, who has been working on Armstrong’s fitness, was pushing the team hard and had created a positive environment, Armstrong said.
Plumtree has named a squad of 31 for today’s game, where Manawatu¯ ’s Liam Mitchell will start at lock and former Manawatu¯ loose forward Heiden Bedwellcurtis is on the bench.
Seven players who started in the 34-19 loss against the Crusaders at Levin last weekend will start again, including To’omaga-allen, hooker Ricky Riccitelli, flanker Reed Prinsep and No 8 Gareth Evans.
Proctor brothers Matt and Billy will start for the first time, pairing up in midfield,
New first five-eighth Fletcher Smith, who was meant to start against the Crusaders, but instead came off the bench, will combine with halfback Finlay Christie, who was kept out of the Levin game with a minor hamstring injury.
It will be the Hurricanes’ last pre-season match before they start the season against the Waratahs in Sydney next weekend. The Blues started their pre-season campaign with a 43-10 win over the Chiefs at Kaikohe last weekend.
■ There were six Manawatu¯ players in the Hurricanes U20 side that played the Blues at the Sport and Rugby Institute yesterday. Fullback Drew Wild, wing Awatere Kiwara, centre Josiah Maraku and halfback Griffin Culver were all in the starting team, while forward Kirihi Nohotimahunia and first five-eighth Stewart Cruden were on the bench.
Hurricanes: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Billy Proctor, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Du’plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep (captain), 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To’omagaallen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves. Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 James O’reilly, 18 Ben May, 19 Alex Fidow, 20 Fraser Armstrong, 21 Isaia Walker-leawere, 22 Geoff Cridge, 23 Heiden Bedwell-curtis, 24 Sam Henwood, 25 Teariki Bennicholas, 26 Carlos Price, 27 Jono Hickey, 28 Jackson Garden-bachop, 29 Danny Toala, 30 Wes Goosen, 31 Salesi Rayasi.
Hurricanes games in Mangatainoka: 2010 Blues 19 Hurricanes 17, 2011 Hurricanes 35 Chiefs 31, 2012 Crusaders 19 Hurricanes 8, 2013 Chiefs 25 Hurricanes 21.