HURRICANES vs BLUES in Wellington, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT
One Test All Black Brett Cameron will make his Hurricanes debut against the Blues after shaking off a calf injury.
Former Crusaders back-up Cameron, whose only Test was against Japan, replaces Aidan Morgan in the No.10 jersey.
“Brett has been slightly inhibited through the preseason with his calf, but there’s been a lot of things that we like about him as a 10 that we’ve seen through training and in the preseason game,” Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said.
“He’s got some really good skills, and his passing and kicking has been sharper and sharper so it’s important he got an opportunity.”
Peter Lakai replaces the suspended Ardie Savea at No.8 while Dane Coles fills in as captain.
The Hurricanes are one of only three sides to win their opening two Super Rugby games this season. They are second to the Chiefs with a point separating them.
In round one the Hurricanes thrashed the Reds 47-13 away before beating the Melbourne Rebels 39-33 last weekend. While they cruised in week one, round two offered a completely different challenge.
Still, the Canes pulled through although they failed to pick up a bonus point. That will not concern them too much so early in the season..
Meanwhile, AJ Lam replaces Mark Telea for the Blues after the in-form winger copped a head knock against the Brumbies.
The Blues have been the most consistent New Zealand franchise, along with the Crusaders over the last three seasons. They lost the final at home last season but will be looking to go one better this time around.
The Auckland side began their season with a bang, beating the Highlanders 60-20 away from home. Last week the Blues however came unstuck against the Brumbies in Melbourne, losing 25-20.
It was a minor upset in the competition, but the Blues have the quality to bounce back from that.Despite defeat last weekend, the Blues squad remains unchanged. The only change to their starting side sees AJ Lam at right wing with Mark Telea moving to the bench.
HURRICANES (15-1): Josh Moorby, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Brett Cameron, Cameron Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (c), Xavier Numia
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Jamie Booth, Aidan Morgan, Riley Higgins
BLUES (15-1): Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Tom Robinson, Cameron Suafoa, Patrick Tuipulotu, James Lay, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala,, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Referee: Nic Berry
Prediction. I think the Blues can win this but not by a lot, so if betting, I would look for the Hurricanes getting a 7 point start.
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