SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON,NZ FRIDAY, MAY 3rd, 2024.
Clark Laidlaw had watched enough broken players hobble out of his All Blacks Sevens teams to know even the most meticulous of coaches can’t prevent a flood of bad luck washing away carefully laid plans.
Following an exceptional beginning to his tenure with the Hurricanes, during which the team secured victories in its initial eight Super Rugby Pacific matches, Laidlaw may have found himself reflecting in his Wellington office, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of sporting trajectories, as evidenced by his past experiences in the international sevens circuit.
Then it happened.
Hurricanes Welcome Back Kianu Kereru-Symes in Starting Lineup
Two years since his last appearance for the Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes will start at hooker against the Waratahs on Friday.
Kereru-Symes was blooded by the Hurricanes in 2022 when he started against Moana Pasifika and the Reds. A former Hawke’s Bay hooker, he joined the development squad after playing for the New England Free Jacks in the Major League Rugby in the United States.
He had previously been in the Crusaders wider training group also, a consequence of the central contracting system in New Zealand.
Hurricanes Face Hooking Crisis Ahead of Clash with Waratahs
With James O’Reilly (concussion) joining Asafo Aumua (knee) on the sidelines amid a hooking injury crisis, coach Clark Laidlaw summoned Kereru-Symes for his first Super match since his debut season in 2022.
With Jacob Devery already scratched for the season because of injury, Laidlaw suddenly found himself without three of his contracted hookers.
Raymond Tuputupu remains on the bench for his third Super Rugby appearance, while Canterbury hooker Shilo Klein was called into the squad from the Blues’ wider training group.
Regular Captain Brad Shields Takes a Break for Hurricanes
The regular captain, Brad Shields, takes a break, while TJ Perenara and Jordie Barrett move to the bench. This allows Richard Judd and Riley Higgins to step into the starting roles at halfback and second-five, respectively.
Bailyn Sullivan Returns to Hurricanes’ Starting Lineup
Another notable returnee to the run on side is Bailyn Sullivan, who came off the bench in the loss to the Brumbies, after a long recovery from a shoulder reconstruction. He starts on the left wing, with Billy Proctor returning to centre and taking over the captaincy. Josh Moorby is on the right wing and Salesi Rayasi on the bench.
Hurricanes.
Pouri Rakete-Stones, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Brett Cameron, Bailyn Sullivan, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (c), Josh Moorby, Ruben Love
Reserves. Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Justin Sangster, Du’Plessis Kirifi, TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi
Waratahs Deal with Key Outs in Forward Pack
The NSW Waratahs will be short-handed for their difficult clash with the league-leading Hurricanes, with a trio of key outs from their forward pack.
Lock Jed Holloway (concussion), back row Ned Hanigan (neck) and prop Tom Ross (knee) all fell out of the lineup that lost 22-38 against the Chiefs last weekend.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer Returns to Lead Waratahs’ Front Row
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, back in action, will take the starting position at prop, accompanied by Fergus Lee-Warner and Hunter Ward, who are also included in the lineup.
Mark Nawaqanitawase Makes Comeback at Fullback for Waratahs
Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase makes his comeback at fullback, filling in for the rested Max Jorgensen.
Waratahs.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Lachlan Swinton, Hunter Ward, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Reserves. Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini, Brad Amituanai, Miles Amatosero, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Vuate Karawalevu
Referee. Dan Waenga, Assistant Referees. Paul Williams, Mike Winter
Prediction: Hurricanes Favored to Win at Home
I think at home the Hurricanes should scrape in. The Waratahs are a scrappy side and will fight to the end ,but it may be a bit much in the end.
About Rebels vs Blues
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