Leger fills the hotseat
Two years after he was thrown the Chiefs No 10 jersey as an injury fill-in, Orbyn Leger will face his former team in the same role for the Hurricanes as their first five-eighth headache continues.
Coach Jason Holland confirmed Leger, the 24-year-old utility from Counties-manukau, as one of six changes to his starting lineup for tomorrow night’s Super Rugby Aotearoa match between the two winless sides inwellington.
It means another new Hurricanes halves combination, with Luke Campbell named at halfback for his run-on debut.
Regular pivot Jackson GardenBachop will be out for several weeks at least with a partial Achilles tendon tear, joining last year’s recruit Simon Hickey who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month.
Former New Zealand Schools firstfive Aidan Morgan, 19, was in the mix, too, but was deemed too young by NZ Rugby when the Hurricanes applied to add him to their squad, Holland said. That left Leger and Jordie Barrett as the options at No 10, and Holland was reluctant to shift their star fullback from his best spot.
Son of former Tongan international Gus, Leger played seven matches in midfield for the Blues alongside Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane in 2018, then was whistled up to the Chiefs for an injured Damian Mckenzie at No 10 the following year.
‘‘Orbs has been training with us at 10 and has had a good week with the boys and is dominating things, so we’re looking forward to seeing him go,’’ Holland said.
‘‘He’s an attacking minded player, which we like, he’s left footed and a really good kicker of the ball and will be a good threat at the line. He’ll get into our systems nicely and add a good dimension to our attack.’’
It’s not quite a baptism of fire against the Blues or Crusaders, but in a pressure match the Hurricanes desperately need to win, it’s a big chance for Leger if the forwards can match the Chiefs.
Sitting in the background is another 19-year-old former NZ Schools pivot, Ruben Love, who was named in the 38-man Hurricanes squad and will play first-five for the second team, the Hunters, tomorrow.
Holland rates Love highly and the gifted first-five/fullback will loom into contention in coming weeks after he was sidelined by concussion early in the season.
Taranaki’s Daniel Waite is another pivot summoned as cover.
Hooker is another problem area for the Hurricanes with their two All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Dane Coles both ruled out, leaving Ricky Riccitelli to start and James O’reilly as his backup.
Aumua (shoulder) was forced off during the 33-16 loss to the Crusaders before the bye, and is still a week or two away, Holland said, while Coles (calf) is likely to return against the Highlanders next Friday.
Other changes from the Crusaders’ defeat, which mirrored the Canes’ 0-2 start from last year, saw wing Salesi Rayasi make his first start for Wes Goosen, Billy Proctor edge out last year’s All Blacks callup Peter UmagaJensen at centre, Campbell nudge Jonathan Taumateine to the bench and loosehead prop Xavier Numia don Fraser Armstrong’s No 1 jersey.
Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (captain), Du’plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia WalkerLeawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia. Reserves: James O’reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-jensen, Wes Goosen.
Damian Mckenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton LienertBrown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene NanaiSeturo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Chase Tiatia.
Hurricanes:
Chiefs: