SELECTION HEADACHES
With a margin this fine, it’s little wonder the bench is as close as Wes Goosen will get to Westpac Stadium tomorrow.
Centre Goosen and captain, and blindside flanker, Brad Shields have both been bracketed for tomorrow’s Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs. Shields will start in the 6 jumper, provided his ribs are up to it, but Goosen’s failed Head Injury Assessment has presented a unique selection headache.
Felled by a sickening shoulder charge to the head by Chiefs second five-eighth Johnny Fa’auli, Goosen’s biggest enemy since has been time.
‘‘Wes’ concussion protocols don’t finish until about three o’clock on game day. He’s had no symptoms or signs [since failing the HIA] but he’s got to go through that protocol,’’ Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said.
Jordie Barrett has been named to start at centre, with Goosen bracketed on the bench with Jonah Lowe. ‘‘His one’s a little different to Brad’s, because it involves a change of position [for fullback Barrett]. So we felt we’d bracket him to the bench so it doesn’t upset training,’’ said Boyd.
‘‘In Brad’s case, if he goes out, Reed Prinsep comes straight into his spot and nobody has to move positions.’’
Reserve halfback Finlay Christie was the other Hurricane to suffer a head knock against the Chiefs. He’s been replaced by Jamie Booth, while lock Vaea Fifita has joined the subs too.
Fifita is back from a toe injury, but hasn’t played enough rugby of late to justify starting ahead of Sam Lousi or Michael Fatialofa.
In the outside backs, things have an increasingly familiar look about them, with Jordie Barrett’s shift meaning Nehe Milner-skudder again goes from wing to fullback and Julian Savea and Ben Lam get the 14 and 11 jumpers.
Openside flanker is the only potential talking point, where Gareth Evans comes in for Sam Henwood. More often a No 8 for the Hurricanes this year, Evans has Boyd’s full confidence in this makeshift role.
The Hurricanes’ first-choice No 7 is Ardie Savea who, for the second time in as many days, was able to complete a running session yesterday, as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Denying the Chiefs a fast start wouldn’t be a bad idea this week. In their last three games – against the Highlanders, Brumbies and Hurricanes – the Chiefs have led 42-0, 17-0 and 21-0 at halftime.