Team for the Moana Pasifika Round 16 clash

The Hurricanes are back at Sky Stadium for a Round 16 clash against Moana Pasifika this Saturday, 7.05 PM. With the return of many familiar faces, and both sides having a lot to play for, a big crowd is expected in the capital.

Off the back of a tight affair against the Reds in Brisbane, the Hurricanes are hoping to secure the significant 4th place, and have named a much-changed team, with 5 changes to the starting 15.

Jacob Devery, Hugo Plummer and Devan Flanders start in the forwards, Bailyn Sullivan is back at 14, and Brett Cameron is at First Five, with Ruben Love moving to Fullback. 

Tjay Clarke is set to make his debut from the bench, and Tyrel Lomax will bring up his 100th New Zealand Super Rugby Game (31 Highlanders and 68 Hurricanes), with New Zealand Rugby recognising him with the presentation of a patu at the end of the match.

The Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika last met in round 4 at North Harbour Stadium, with Moana coming out as the victor, winning 40-31 in a high-scoring affair.

Tries for the Hurricanes were scored by Brayden Iose, Ruben Love, Peter Lakai, Ngatungane Punivai and Jone Rova. Harry Godfrey kicked three conversions. Moana scored six tries, including a "hat-trick" to Miracle Faiilagi.

Hurricanes Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “We’re excited to play a really tough, highly motivated Moana Pasifika team who are chasing a playoff spot for the first time in their history. We're trying to finish as high up in the table as possible for the playoffs, so I'm sure both teams have plenty of motivation to play well.

A couple of milestones with Tryel making his 100th New Zealand Super Rugby appearance and Tjay Clarke making his debut, which are nice for this week.

We’ve had to make a few changes to the forward pack. Devan Flanders starts for the first time this year to try to get his minutes up as we head into the playoffs. 

In the backs, we’re giving Brett Cameron a start, we’re delighted about how Ruben has steered the ship, and he could end up there later in the game anyway, but it gives BC, similar to Devan, an opportunity to start the game and run the cutter from the start alongside Ruben.

We’re enjoying those two boys working together; they’ve been a really good combination the last couple of weeks, and they now get a chance to do it together right from the start this week.”

1 Xavier Numia 

2 Jacob Devery 

3 Tyrel Lomax

4 Zach Gallagher 

5 Hugo Plummer 

6 Devan Flanders 

7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (Co Captain) 

8 Peter Lakai 

9 Cam Roigard 

10 Brett Cameron 

11 Fatafehi Fineanganofo 

12 Peter Umaga-Jensen 

13 Billy Proctor (Co Captain) 

14 Bailyn Sullivan 

15 Ruben Love 

Impact  

16. Raymond Tuputupu 

17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 

18. Pasilio Tosi 

19. Will Tucker 

20. Brad Shields (Co Captain) 

21. Ereatara Enari 

22. Jone Rova 

23. Tjay Clarke (Debut)