Head Coach Jason Holland has named a mix of youth and experience in his side for Sunday’s pre-season match against the Blues, which will be played behind closed doors at Rugby League Park.
Players will be looking to impress ahead of the season opener against the Crusaders on February 19th.
Hurricanes centurion Julian Savea will captain the side, with all 34 players in the matchday squad expected to get game time. Development players Peter Lakai and Riley Higgins will have the opportunity to show what they can do at this level, and new Hurricane Josh Moorby gets a run at fullback. Tom Parsons and Caleb Delany form a new combination in the second row and veteran Ben May will link up with Xavier Numia and Tongan international hooker, Siua Maile, up front.
Holland said he was excited for his squad to get back out on the park, after 5 weeks of pre-season training.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the guys get out there and test everything we have been doing over the past few weeks.”
“Everyone will get a run. We have 34 players who will all get time.”
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said it was disappointing that the Hurricanes are not able to host fans at Rugby League Park.
“It’s disappointing not to be able to welcome fans and members, but with the guys heading to Queenstown, it was a necessary decision.”
Kick-off is 12:30pm, Sunday, 6 February, at Rugby League Park. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and heightened restrictions on the squad, the match will be played behind closed doors and entries will be guarded by security personnel.
Hurricanes team to play the Blues:
1 Xavier Numia
2 Siua Maile
3 Ben May
4 Tom Parsons
5 Caleb Delany
6 Peter Lakai
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi
8 Devan Flanders
9 Logan Henry
10 Ruben Love
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Riley Higgins
13 Billy Proctor
14 Julian Savea (c)
15 Josh Moorby
REPLACEMENTS:
Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Pasilio Tosi, Tevita Mafileo, Justin Sangster, James Blackwell, Ofa Tauatavalu, Te Kamaka Howden, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Brayden Iose, Leroy Carter, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Aidan Morgan, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Nehe Milner-Skudder