Hurricanes struggling to find a position for Jordie
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Just two changes have been made to the Hurricanes starting XV to face the Highlanders in the Round Eight Super Rugby match in Dunedin on Friday.
Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named Kane Le’aupepe to start at lock after the 26-year-old impressed off the bench in his first appearance for the team in last week’s loss to the Crusaders.
Le’aupepe, who came into the Hurricanes squad as injury cover, replaces Liam Mitchell who moves to the reserves bench following a heavy workload in his first season of Super Rugby.
The other change to the starting side is at outside centre where Jordie Barrett moves in from the wing with Matt Proctor moving to the bench.
It will be Barrett’s fourth different position this season after playing at fullback, right wing and inside centre.
The change means a start on the right wing for Wes Goosen who will make his 30th appearance for the Hurricanes.
The bench stays largely the same with the exception being the reserve halfback’s spot with Finlay Christie replacing Richard Judd.
TJ Perenara retains the captaincy with Dane Coles ruled out for a second week with a minor calf injury.
. @DoveMenCare Team Naming | Dunedin Lineup pic.twitter.com/BI4GXKiITm
— Hurricanes Rugby (@Hurricanesrugby) April 3, 2019
Hurricanes: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Kane Le’aupepe. 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22 Finlay Christie, 23 Matt Proctor.
Date: Friday, April 5
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant referees: Nick Briant, Paul Williams
TMO: Ben Skeen
