Hurricanes Head South for Final Round
Two Hurricanes could debut in this final round clash against the Crusaders as Ope Peleseuma and Blade Thomson have been named on the bench. Both Peleseuma and Thomson have been close to earning their first caps, but are yet to run on the field.
Peleseuma was included on the bench for the Chiefs game two weeks ago after Tusi Pisi was ruled out, but didn’t take the field. Thomson was bracketed for the same match as an injury back up, but Faifili Levave was cleared to play.
The starting fifteen for the Hurricanes only has one confirmed change for this week, with Brad Shields starting at blindside. Meanwhile, Alapati Leiua who injured his hip against the Highlanders on Saturday has been bracketed with Matt Proctor.
On the bench, the only other change sees a return to the 4/3 forwards/backs split and Andre Taylor has been bracketed with Matt Proctor, should Leiua be ruled out closer to the match.
Players unavailable this week due to injury include Dane Coles (calf), Tim Bateman (knee), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (knee), Motu Matu’u (arm), Tusi Pisi (hand) and Ardie Savea (ankle).
This match at AMI Stadium in Christchurch will kick off at 7.35pm on Friday evening.
The Hurricanes team is as follows:
- Ben Franks
- Ash Dixon
- Ben May
- Jeremy Thrush
- James Broadhurst
- Brad Shields
- Karl Lowe
- Victor Vito
- TJ Perenara
- Beauden Barrett
- Julian Savea
- Reynold Lee-Lo
- Conrad Smith (c)
- Alapati Leiua / Matt Proctor
- James Marshall
RESERVES
- Reggie Goodes
- John Schwalger
- Blade Thomson
- Faifili Levave
- Chris Smylie
- Ope Peleseuma
- Matt Proctor / Andre Taylor
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