The Hurricanes coaching staff have named a 34-man squad to take on the Crusaders in Ashburton this Saturday.
It’s the first of two pre-season matches the Hurricanes will play, before launching into their 2020 Investec Super Rugby campaign on February 1.
Jason Holland is set for his first outing as head coach and says he’s looking forward to seeing how the players have progressed in the off-season.
“I’ve seen these guys giving it everything at training in preparation for this season. I know how much they want to make an impact this year.”
Hooker, Ricky Riccitelli will captain the squad, which is littered with experience including flanker, Vaea Fifita and Outside Centre, Vince Aso.
Several debutants have made the starting line-up, including former Highlander Tyrel Lomax and South African wing, Kobus Van Wyk.
Lomax says he’s excited about pulling on the black and yellow jersey for the first time.
“It’ll be different, that’s for sure, but I’m proud to be part of the squad and looking forward to our first hit-out.”
The match will feature rolling substitutions played over two 40-minute halves.
The reserves bench features a mix of Hurricanes squad members and younger players who have been training with the group.
Hurricanes All Black, Ngani Laumape is also featured in the squad, but will start the game on the bench.
The game will kick-off at Ashburton Showgrounds from 4pm.
The Hurricanes squad to face the Crusaders is:
15 Chase Tiatia
14 Kobus Van Wyk
13 Vince Aso
12 Peter Umaga- Jensem
11 Jonah Lowe
10 Jackson Garden Bachop
9 Jamie Booth
8 Brayden Iose
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
6 Vaea Fifita
5 James Blackwell
4 Liam Mitchell
3 Tyrel Lomax
2 Ricky Riccitelli [C]
1 Fraser Armstrong
Reserves
16 James O’Reilly
17 Kianu Kereru- Symes
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones
19 Xavier Numia
20 Joel Hintz
21 Scott Scrafton
22 Taine Plumtree
23 Hamilton Burr
24 Josh Southall
25 Devan Flanders
26 Caleb Delany
27 Jonathan Taumateine
28 Logan Crowley
29 Fletcher Smith
30 Ben Lam
31 Ngani Laumape
32 Billy Proctor
33 Wes Goosen
34 Trent Renata
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