Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has named his team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific derby against the Chiefs in Wellington, with Asafo Aumua coming into the run-on side at hooker.
Aumua takes over from fellow All Black Dane Coles, who is set to make his 300th first class appearance after being named as one of the replacements.
Devan Flanders to start on the flank
There is one other alteration amongst the forwards which beat the Highlanders in Dunedin last weekend as Devan Flanders replaces Brayden Iose on the blindside flank, joining Du’Plessis Kirifi and captain Ardie Savea in the back-row.
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The rest of the pack sees Tyrel Lomax and Xavier Numia packing down alongside Aumua as the starting props, while James Blackwell and Dominic Bird continue their budding partnership in the second-row.
In the backline, Peter Umaga-Jensen is set to make his first start of the season after replacing the injured Billy Proctor at outside centre. Umaga-Jensen is joined in midfield by Jordie Barrett with Cam Roigard and Aiden Morgan continuing as the half-back pairing.
In the back three, Josh Moorby starts at full-back alongside Julian Savea and Salesi Rayasi who are the two wings.
The Hurricanes are chasing their fifth successive victory this weekend – a feat which they have not achieved since 2020.
Holland is relishing the clash with the Chiefs, who are the only unbeaten team left in the competition.
“The Chiefs are a quality side,” said Holland. “They have a powerful forward pack and are complimented with some exciting backs who are scoring some great tries.
Physicality and accuracy needed
“We need to be physical and accurate in everything we do to enable us to play our style of rugby to win this weekend.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity to play in the afternoon and looking forward to seeing a big crowd and lots of kids at Sky Stadium.”
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Cameron Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 TK Howden, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Peter Lakai, 22 Jamie Booth, 23 Harry Godfrey
Date: Saturday, April 15
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 14:35 local (03:35 BST, 02:35 GMT)
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga (New Zealand), Mike Winter (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)