Milner-Skudder ruled out for Canes
No Nehe Milner-Skudder. It would be bad news for most teams, but as far as replacements go, they don’t come much better than Jordie Barrett.
And facing the Sunwolves first up, the Hurricanes can clearly afford to err on the side of caution.
After making a successful return from shoulder surgery during the pre-season, Milner-Skudder will miss the Hurricanes’ opening game in Tokyo with a minor hamstring compliant. So, too, will prop Loni Uhila with a calf issue.
Milner-Skudder’s absence is expected to pave the way for Barrett to make his Super Rugby debut at fullback, where he starred for Canterbury on the way to last year’s provincial title.
Barrett is just as comfortable at second five-eighth but spent the majority of his time at fullback during the Hurricanes’ pre-season, sharing the role with MilnerSkudder, so it should be a seamless transition. He will be expected to form a potent back-three combination with Cory Jane and Julian Savea, and team up with older brother Beauden in the playmaking department.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd faces tougher selection decisions in the weeks to come after confirming Milner-Skudder and Uhila could have played if pushed.
‘‘If we had been playing at home they may have been considered, but to sit on a long-haul flight with a muscle injury like that was probably not a great idea,’’ Boyd said. ‘‘It’s a long season, so we decided the prudent move was to leave them at home and get them 100 per cent right for our first home game against the Rebels in two weeks’ time.’’
Elsewhere Boyd has named a strong 25-man touring squad that includes all five of the Hurricanes’ 2016 All Blacks; Dane Coles, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea and the elder Barrett.
Those influential figures alone should ensure there is no repeat of the howler the Hurricanes had to open last year’s campaign when they were embarrassed 52-10 in Canberra, before ultimately kicking on and claiming their first title.
Three other uncapped Hurricanes also make the trip in loose forward Reed Prinsep, lock James Blackwell, and hooker James O’Reilly. Like Barrett, Prinsep joined the Hurricanes this year after moving from Canterbury, while Wellington’s Blackwell has graduated through the development programme to the full squad. O’Reilly, the former New Zealand under 20s rake, has been called up as the third hooker in the tour squad due to a hamstring injury to Leni Apisai.
Interest will centre on what midfield combination Boyd opts to start the season with. Matt Proctor is favoured to start at centre, with Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso vying for the second-five role.
Coached by former Hurricanes
loose forward Filo Tiatia this year, the Sunwolves face the prospect of a worse season than their inaug-
ural one when they finished last with nine points and a negative points differential of 334. join the Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2017-18 season, with Stormers duo Huw Jones and Oli Kebble already signed up.
‘‘I’m excited about the opportunity to start a new journey with Glasgow Warriors in Scotland,’’ Gibbins told glasgowwarriors.org.
‘‘I feel privileged to be in a situation where I can make a decision like this and I’m looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead.
‘‘Each of the teams I’ve represented, and all the fans who have supported those teams, hold a special place in my heart, and there is no doubt I’ll miss the people I’ve been involved in during my rugby career to date.’’
Unlike last season, the Sunwolves must take on all five New Zealand teams this year.