Hurricanes go on the attack
The Hurricanes have injected two All Blacks squad members into their starting XV for tomorrow’s clash with the defending Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
Peter Umaga-jensen and Du’plessis Kirifi have been promoted from the bench as the Hurricanes look to rebound from their illdisciplined 31-16 defeat to the Blues by claiming back-to-back wins over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Two tries from winger Wes Goosen saw the Hurricanes stun the Crusaders 34-32 in their last visit to Orangetheory Stadium to hand Scott Robertson’s all-conquering team their first home defeat in more than four years.
‘‘We know that if we play well we can win down there,’’ Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said. ‘‘We need to make it a habit. It’s not a massive surprise if we win down there. But we know it’s going to be tough, we know what a great side they are but we know if we play well we can win.’’
Umaga-jensen and the uncapped Kirifi were part of the All Blacks squad for last year’s Rugby Championship but missed out on a place Hurricanes’ starting XV to face the Blues in round one.
Umaga-jensen, in for Billy Proctor at centre, is the only change to the backline for Sunday’s game.
Holland said it was a close call but he opted for the more attack-minded midfield partnership of UmagaJensen and Ngani Laumape.
‘‘We thought Billy was really solid last week and his workrate was second to none but we’ve gone with the Ngani-pete combination in midfield. It’s a full on attacking mindset around that,’’ he said.
‘‘[Umaga-jensen] is a hard man to defend so we’re looking to make sure we have multiple threats at the Crusaders’ defensive line so they have to make some decisions and both Ngani and Pete, we’ll back them to win one on one collisions so that’s part of our thinking.’’
The Hurricanes have made three changes in the forwards. Captain Ardie Savea will move to No 8 to accommodate openside flanker Kirifi in a new-look loose forward trio that also features the return of Reed Prinseep at blindside.
Isaia Walker-leawere will partner James Blackwell at lock after Scott Scrafton picked up an ankle injury against the Blues that will sideline him for the next three-four weeks. Vaea Fifita will also miss tomorrow’s game due to concussion.
‘‘It’s a little bit different because Dupes at seven will do what Dupes does but it maybe frees up Ardie to get his hands on the ball a little bit more than he can when he’s at seven. It will be a good balance there and hopefully they work in tandem pretty well,’’ Holland said.
Kirifi and Blackwell were both shown yellow cards against the Blues
What: Crusaders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Aotearoa round two
Where, when: Tomorrow, 4.35pm at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Dallas Mcleod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie Mcalister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Will Jordan.
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-jensen, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Jackson Garden-bachop, Jonathan Taumateine, Ardie Savea (c), Du’plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Luke Campbell, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi.
and Holland said he has spoken to the entire squad about the need to be more disciplined against the Crusaders, who kicked off their title defence by beating the Highlanders in Dunedin.
‘‘On Monday it was amajor part of our chat. The reality is life becomes really hard with 14 on the park or even just giving away penalties but it makes life really hard with teams being able to kick into the corner so that’s been a major focus for us.’’