The Hurricanes are looking to make it two from two this Sunday at Super Round when they take on the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The Hurricanes are on the road for the second week in a row in Australia, after kicking off their 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific (SRP) campaign in an emphatic way, beating the Western Force 44-14 in Perth last Friday.
Head Coach Clark Laidlaw has had to make changes to his starting lineup from last week with loose forward duo Du’Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders both ruled out through injury, while bringing back some key All Blacks into the fold.
After coming off the bench against the Force, Cam Roigard returns to the starting halfback position, while Jordi Viljoen, who made a strong start to his SRP career, will come off the bench.
Powerful runner Brayden Iose comes into the team at No.8, along with TK Howden at blindside flanker, while Peter Lakai makes the shift to openside.
Tight head Prop Tyrel Lomax also returns to the starting XV, while loose forward Veveni Lasaqa will make his SRP debut from the bench.
Besides Roigard, the backline remains the same, and Asafo Aumua and Jordie Barrett will have the co-captain bands on.
Laidlaw said he and the coaches were pleased with the team’s performance against the Force but were not getting ahead of themselves so early in the competition.
“We’re obviously happy with the start we had. It’s always tricky being away from home in tough conditions, but we handled it well. We’re happy with our set piece, and in general, our defence and attack, but there are areas where we think we can improve, and we want to continue to evolve our defence and attack, so we’re not getting carried away with our performance in the first game.”
Laidlaw said losing two key forwards – along with regular captain and loose forward Brad Shields who is out injured – at the start of the season isn’t ideal but is confident with the depth the Hurricanes have up their sleeve.
“You never want to start your season losing two or three players in the same position. But we’re excited and comfortable giving some of the guys an opportunity as we have some depth in the loose forwards area, so we’re excited to see them go out and play.”
The game on Sunday will also mark Jordie Barrett’s 100th Super Rugby match, joining his brother and former Hurricane Beauden Barrett in the centurion club.
“It’s a huge achievement for Jordie and his family to join the 100 club alongside Beauden. He’s a proud Hurricane and we’re super proud of him and how he plays the game and how he’s taken to the leadership role with both hands. He’s got a great attitude, and it will be a special day.”
The Hurricanes play the Queensland Reds this Sunday, 3 March, at AAMI Park in Melbourne, in Round Two of DHL Super Rugby Pacific. Kick-off: 6.30pm (NZDT).
The following week, on Saturday 9 March, the Hurricanes and Hurricanes Poua will play their first home matches for the season in a double-header at Sky Stadium!
Saturday 9 March – Sky Stadium
Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Round Two
Hurricanes Poua v Matutū – Kick-off: 4.35pm.
DHL Sky Super Rugby Pacific Round Three
Hurricanes v Blues – Kick-off: 7.05pm.
Hurricanes SRP Round Two team to play Queensland Reds
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua (cc)
- Tyrel Lomax
- Caleb Delany
- Isaia Walker-Leawere
- TK Howden
- Peter Lakai
- Brayden Iose
- Cam Roigard
- Brett Cameron
- Kini Naholo
- Jordie Barrett (cc) (100th game)
- Billy Proctor
- Josh Moorby
- Ruben Love
Replacements
- James O’Reilly
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- Pasilio Tosi
- Justin Sangster
- Veveni Lasaqa (Debut)
- Jordi Viljoen
- Riley Higgins
- Salesi Rayasi