Ruben Love scores and motions to the fans in the Zoo during the Highlanders v Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has pulled the trigger on Ruben Love moving to first five for their game in Perth against the Force. Laidlaw teased the idea last week that Love would move there after some middling performances from Riley Hohepa, and it seems as though the loss to the Crusaders last Friday has made up his mind. Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor come onto the bench for his first game of the season, meanwhile three of the Canes' four captains will start the game.
Other selection news:
Zarn Sullivan is back for the Blues for the first time this season, named to start at fullback. Caleb Clarke is out injured, so Cole Forbes comes onto the right wing and Mark Tele'a moves to the left. Hamdahn Tuipulotu, younger brother of Patrick, will make his debut off the bench.
Ardie Savea is out for Moana's game against the Brumbies on Saturday afternoon, but the side won't be Savea-less. Brother Julian returns for his first game of the season, starting at second five in a bit of a surprise ahead of the in form Danny Toala.
Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson revert back to first five and fullback respectively after the Chiefs' disaster in Sydney last Friday. Meanwhile, only one change to their opponents the Highlanders, with Mitch Dunshea coming in at lock.
Team lists
Crusaders v Blues
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 18 April
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Zarn Sullivan of the Blues. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili/Dallas McLeod (c), 13. Levi Aumua, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Macca Springer/Dallas McLeod
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Mark Tele'a, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Hamdahn Tuipolotu, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Cameron Suafoa, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Taufa Funaki, 23. Harry Plummer
Moana Pasifika v Brumbies
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 19 April
Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Sione Havili-Talitui Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Samiuela Moli, 3. Sione Mafile'o, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Michael Curry, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Sione Havili Talitui (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Pat Pellegrini, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Julian Savea, 13. Pepesana Patafilo, 14. Fine Inisi, 15. Tevita Ofa
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Samuel Slade, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23. Danny Toala
Chiefs v Highlanders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 April
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs dives to score a try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. TK Howden, 20. Will Stodart, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Jonah Lowe
Force v Hurricanes
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 19 April
HBF Park, Perth
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
Du’Plessis Kirifi (L) of the Hurricanes celebrates a try. Photo: Photosport
Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua (cc), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields (cc), 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin
Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Higgins, 23. Billy Proctor
Also:
Fijian Drua v Waratahs
Kick-off: 2:05pm Saturday 19 April
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Reds - bye
