Get Newsletter

Beauden Barrett at fullback

The defending Super Rugby champions host the Cheetahs in Wellington on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made four changes to the team that started against the Crusaders – with lock Sam Lousi set to make his starting debut in the second row.

Black will make his second start of the season in the No.10 jersey, Wes Goosen replaces Cory Jane on the right wing, and Ben May returns at loosehead prop for Chris Eves, who will miss the match due to injury.Beauden Barrett at fullback

While Black started at flyhalf in the season opener against the Sunwolves in Tokyo, Barrett has worn the No.10 jersey in the last nine matches.

Barrett's move back to fullback allows younger brother Jordie to have a well-earned spell on the bench in his first season of Super Rugby.

Jordie Barrett has appeared in every match in 2017 and started the past seven.

Lousi will make his fourth appearance of the campaign, but just his first start since joining the franchise from the Waratahs this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

He will partner fellow Tongan Vaea Fifita in the second row with Mark Abbott taking a break on the bench after starting the past eight matches.

In the front row, May makes his fifth start at loosehead prop. Eves drops out of the matchday 23 for the first time in 2017 with Mike Kainga returning to the reserves.

Out on the wing, Goosen makes his third start in the No.14 jersey with Jane dropping out of the matchday 23 and Ben Lam coming onto a reserves bench that also features the return of loose forward Callum Gibbins from a shoulder injury.

With a tough tour to South Africa and Perth coming up, Boyd said it was important to manage some of his player's workloads.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We have some guys who have shouldered a particularly big load through the first ten matches, and other guys who, through injury have not had a lot of time."

Hurricanes: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Thomas Perenara (captain), 8 Brad Shields, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Vaea Fifita, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ben May.

Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Mike Kainga, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Jordie Barrett, 23 Ben Lam.

Date: Saturday, May 20

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Assistant referees: Will Houston (Australia), Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Beauden Barrett at fullback

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 28 | Steven Kitshoff

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

England A vs Australia A | Full Match Replay

Tonga vs USA | Full Match Replay

Japan vs Uruguay | Full Match Replay

Felipe Contepomi | Returning to Ireland

Will Jordan | Secrets to try scoring success

Richard Cockerill | Unlocking Georgia's Potential

Write A Comment