'Canes call on Pisi at flyhalf
The Hurricanes have picked Samoa’s World Cup flyhalf Tusi Pisi to wear the No.10 jersey against the Brumbies in Friday’s Super Rugby clash in Wellington.
Pisi takes over from the impressive young pivot Beauden Barrett, who is rested and takes his place on the bench for the match. Pisi came off the bench against the Highlanders last weekend and is back to full fitness after a calf strain. This will be his first start for the Hurricanes since joining the team at the end of March.
The other change to the starting XV is on the side of the scrum, where Brad Shields starts in the No.6 jersey ahead of Faifili Levave.
On the bench, James Broadhurst returns after recovering from a side strain and Jayden Hayward will provide cover for the outside backs.
Australian conference leaders, the Brumbies will hit New Zealand shores and are the first of three Australian teams the Hurricanes will play in a row. After the Brumbies, the Hurricanes will host the Rebels in Wellington followed by a trip to Sydney to meet the Waratahs.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Jayden Hayward.
Date: Friday, May 18
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
