Savea left out of Hurricanes team
Dane Coles is back, but Julian Savea has been benched.
Captain Coles’ return to the Hurricanes’ starting lineup, for the first time since March, comes as no surprise. His cameo against the Brumbies in Canberra last week was enough to convince everyone he was over the concussion symptoms that kept him sidelined so long and he’ll lead the team on to Ellis Park for Sunday’s Super Rugby semifinal against the Lions.
In doing so, Coles will become the 11th player to register 100 appearances for the franchise.
Savea was the most recent centurion, but will not be starting. Wes Goosen occupies the left wing instead, with Vince Aso back at centre, Nehe Milner-Skudder returning to the right wing and Jordie Barrett at fullback.
Coles is in elite company, with Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Tana Umaga, Victor Vito and Savea the men to have registered their hundreds before him.
As fine an achievement as Coles’ 100 appearances is, some will be more interested in the Savea situation. The reality is his form hasn’t been stellar this season and Goosen has done so well in his limited minutes that he simply couldn’t be left out.
A similar thing occurred during the 2016 campaign, when Jason Woodward played in No 11 during the playoffs. This time, it’s more a case of people such as Jordie Barrett, MilnerSkudder, Aso and Goosen simply having to be in the team, rather than a bad reflection of Savea’s contribution.
Goosen was one of the team’s better performers in the quarterfinal win over the Brumbies. Overall, it wasn’t a great outing for the team and they’ll have to be better against the Lions.