Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has made three changes to the team that will face the Blues on Saturday at the Sky Stadium 09:05 SA Time. The Hurricanes beat the Highlanders (17-11) last weekend and currently have four points less on the log than the Blues. The Hurricanes have lost against the Blues (30-20) at Eden Park in round one.
Dane Coles returns from injury to start, with only two other changes been made to the XV which beat the Highlanders last Sunday. Jackson Garden-Bachop gets back the number 10 jersey from Fletcher Smith and Peter Umaga-Jensen makes a return to the mid-field.
Head coach, Jason Holland says after a slow start to the competition, momentum is building. “We can’t wait to get back out there in front of our home fans again. They have recovered well and are looking forward to the physical challenge “
Very little change has been made to the bench, but Fraser Armstrong comes back into the fold after sitting out for a week due to a knee injury.
Holland believes having depth is vital. “It’s going to take 80 minutes to get the result and the bench can be the difference in these derbies.”
The Hurricanes: 1. Ben May, 2. Dane Coles [cc], 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara [cc], 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Kobus Van Wyk, 15. Jordie Barrett. Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Fraser Armstrong, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Vaea Fifita, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Wes Goosen.