Hurricanes looking to wider squad to find viable first five option
All Black Jordie Barrett won’t be moved to first five to resolve the mounting injury woes the Hurricanes have.
Jackson Garden-Bachop aggravated an achilles injury against the Crusaders in round two and is in doubt for Saturday’s game against the Chiefs.
Backup first five Simon Hickey is already out for the season due to a knee injury.
Despite their lack of depth in the position, Hurricanes defensive coach Corey Jane says they won’t move Barrett to 10.
“It wouldn’t be fair on him if we actually put him into first five, last year he was the best fullback running around and he’s done some good stuff for us already this year,” he said.
“I like him better at fullback and we’ll just have to make do with the options we’ve got.”
Having ruled out Barrett, Jane wouldn’t be drawn into revealing which players were in contention for the position.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys coming in — they’re our secret weapons, I can’t let that out of the bag at the moment.”
Counties-Manakau back Orbyn Leger is the standout option to fill the role as the only player with Super Rugby experience, having had spells with both the Chiefs and the Blues.
Nineteen-year-olds Ruben Love and Aidan Morgan, both 2019 New Zealand Schools representatives, are two others who could have an outside chance of filling GardenBachop’s boots.
The Hurricanes are also hoping to have hookers Asafo Aumua and
Dane Coles back in contention for the game against the Chiefs.
Aumua was forced to come off against the Crusaders with a shoulder injury but has had a bye week to recover.
Jane expects both hookers to be back in time for the Chiefs.
“I think Colesy is just itching at the bit to get out there, he ran really well with us in training last week,” he said. “Asafo is a tough lad, too. By the sounds of it, everything is sweet with him, he’s just a bit sore so ideally he’s back.”
The Hurricanes and the Chiefs are yet to win a game in Super Rugby Aotearoa this season making this weekend’s encounter a crucial point in the season for both sides.
The Chiefs currently sit bottom of the competition standings with the Hurricanes above only on points differential.