HURRICANES vs REBELS, Friday 5.05pm AEST in Wellington
The Hurricanes will unleash wrecking ball Ngani Laumape on a Rebels side reeling from a 50-3 loss to the Blues in the opening round of Super Rugby trans-Tasman.
All Blacks centre Laumape – who is joining Stade Francais at the end of the season – was rested from the Hurricanes’ wild 64-48 win over the Waratahs at the SCG.
He replaces Peter Umaga-Jensen at No.12 in one of six changes to the starting side.
Also in are prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Scott Scrafton and winger Wes Goosen while Jonathan Taumateine and Orbyn Leger form a new halves pairing.
Halfback Luke Campbell is rested while five-eighth Ruben Love is out with concussion.
“At the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa we made it clear to the squad that there will be opportunities for players to show what they can do and we are determined to create plenty of competition for positions as we work through the coming weeks,” Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.
“That’s created some real excitement in our squad and that’s been matched by the opportunity to be back playing in front of our fans.”
Meanwhile, the Rebels have made some shock selections in their struggling side.
English fullback George Worth – who is on loan from Leicester Tigers – will make his first start, while winger Andrew Kellaway is back at the club after a stint in Japan with NEC Green Rockets.
Highly rated youngster Carter Gordon will make his first start in the No.10 jersey which means a shift to inside centre for captain Matt To’omua.
In the pack, hulking No.8 Isi Naisarani and lock Trevor Hosea are back from suspension.
“We are really pumped to have two great players coming back into our pack in Trevor and Isi, who are both very physical and keen to get back after suspension, while Kellaway brings experience and a very balanced game to our back three,” Rebels coach Kevin Foote said.
“With a short turnaround and travel, we have really come into the week with a great focus and energy to be better. We know that our set piece and exits where not up to scratch and our defence means more to us than what was presented last week, and we’re looking forward to Friday night.”
HURRICANES (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Orbyn Leger, Jonathan Taumateine, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (c), Xavier Numia
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Liam Mitchell, Brayden Iose, Gareth Evans, Cam Roigard, Lolagi Visinia
REBELS (15-1): George Worth, Andrew Kellaway, Campbell Magnay, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Carter Gordon, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, Josh Kemeny, Michael Wells, Trevor Hosea, Rob Leota, Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr
Reserves: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Ross Haylett-Petty, Richard Hardwick, James Tuttle, Stacey Ili, Frank Lomani
Referee: Graham Cooper (AUS)
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