Moorby at fullback for M¯aori All Blacks debut
Hurricanes fullback Josh Moorby is set to debut for the Māori All Blacks at his Super Rugby home ground.
Moorby, who was a revelation in his first season with the Hurricanes this year, will wear the No 15 jersey against Ireland at Wellington’s Sky Stadium tomorrow (7.05 pm kickoff).
He attended Hamilton Boys’ High School before making his name at NPC level with the Southland
Stags. Moorby spent part of the 2021 season with the Highlanders, before joining the Hurricanes on a fulltime basis in 2022.
After impressing this season, he signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the Hurricanes through 2024.
Head coach Clayton McMillan has made minimal changes to the side after an impressive 32-17 win in Hamilton on June 29.
There will be a strong Hurricanes’ representation with nine members of the squad playing for the Māori All Blacks.
Max Hicks and Caleb Delany could earn their first Māori All Blacks caps from the bench.
After being in the reserves for the first game, unwanted All Black TJ Perenara gets the nod at halfback over fellow co-captain Brad Weber with Chiefs pivot Josh Ioane at firstfive.
McMillan has gone with a newlook midfield with Bailyn Sullivan, who was in the reserves for game one, lining up alongside Alex Nankivell. Reed Prinsep starts at blindside flanker, in place of Cameron Suafoa, while Maanaki Selby-Rickit replaces Highlanders teammate Josh Dickson at lock. ‘‘The first match was really special, with nine debutants up against Ireland and this week the remaining three debutant players get that same opportunity,’’ McMillan said.