Barrett cracks the half-century
Beauden Barrett will celebrate his 50th match for the Hurricanes this weekend as his side line up against the Blues at Eden Park.
Barrett said it was always a proud moment to run out in the Hurricanes jersey, but there would be an extra sense of pride when he takes the field this Saturday.
“I grew up watching this team – I watched my dad be a part of it – so to reach 50 games for the 'Canes is a pretty special moment for me,” he said.
Coach Mark Hammett has again named a similar side to that which has played the bulk of the season, with the only changes injury-related.
Matt Proctor will start at fullback in place of Andre Taylor, while Ben Franks’ groin injury is still being monitored.
Replacement hookers Ash Dixon and Motu Matu’u are also both in question.
Reggie Goodes is the first choice to cover the possibility of both Franks and the hookers being unavailable, with Mike Kainga and Brendon Edmonds named as back up if required.
Hurricanes: 15 Matt Proctor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks/Reggie Goodes.
Reserves: 16 Ash Dixon/Motu Matu’u/Goodes/Mike Kainga, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Reggie Goodes/Brendon Edmonds, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Tim Bateman, 23 James Marshall.
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