The Hurricanes have named their team to tackle the Highlanders in the first game of the first round of the inaugural Super Rugby season.
The forward pack is a mixed bag of youth and experience, with Jason Eaton returning to the fold after a long lay off with a knee injury. Andrew Hore will add a lot of experience to the front row.
The backline is a star studded All Black line with flyhalf Aaron Cruden in the pivot position, an all star centre combination of Nonu and Smith, exciting wings in Gear and Savea and the cool head and skilful Corey Jane at the back.
There is however no place in the starting line up or the bench for former All Black loose forward Rodney So’oialo
Hurricanes
1. John Schwalger ,2. Andrew Hore (c) ,3. Michael Bent ,4. James Broadhurst ,5. Jason Eaton ,6. Mark Reddish ,7. Jack Lam ,8. Victor Vito ,9. Tyson Keats ,10. Aaron Cruden ,11. Hosea Gear ,12. Ma’a Nonu ,13. Conrad Smith ,14. Julian Savea ,15. Cory Jane
Reserves :16. Dane Coles ,17. Neemia Tialata ,18. Faifili Levave ,19. Serge Lilo ,20. Chris Eaton,21. Daniel Kirkpatrick ,22. Andre Taylor
Tweet
Who cares….. they are going to get smoked in the Cake Tin !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 1) : 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 1) :
When can we expect the Highlanders team to be announced?
I must say, this Hurricanes backline looks pretty potent.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 1) : 😯 😆
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) :
I thought it was meant to be today as well….I’m not official Media ….yet ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 6) : “like”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) : 🙄
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 6) :
Im sure we will have to wait until tomorrow your time, nothing will be announced over night..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) : True…..it is actually going to be quite interesting , we are a bit in the dark here as well….shall i take a guess ! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 10) :
I think a probable team would be nice.. lol
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 10) :
it has been announced go and look at the website.
🙂
I’m putting it up now.
Just in hot off the press :
Highlanders v Hurricanes – Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Friday 18 February, 7.35pm.
1 LOOSEHEAD PROP Jamie Mackintosh (C)
2 HOOKER Jason Rutledge
3 TIGHTHEAD PROP David Te Moana
4 LEFT LOCK Jarrad Hoeata
5 RIGHT LOCK Josh Bekhuis
6 LEFT FLANKER Adam Thomson
7 RIGHT FLANKER Alando Soakai
8 NUMBER EIGHT Nasi Manu
9 SCRUMHALF Jimmy Cowan (VC)
10 FLYHALF Lima Sopoaga
11 LEFT WING Kade Poki
12 INSIDE CENTRE Shaun Treeby
13 OUTSIDE CENTRE Kendrick Lynn
14 RIGHT WING James Paterson
15 FULLBACK Ben Smith
REPLACEMENTS:
16. RESERVE Brayden Mitchell
17. RESERVE Bronson Murray
18. RESERVE Joe Tuineau
19. RESERVE John Hardie
20. RESERVE Aaron Smith
21. RESERVE Robbie Robinson
22. RESERVE Siale Piutau
Head Coach: Jamie Joseph
Assist Coaches: Simon Culhane and Kieran Keane
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 13) :
Now that’s a side ! 😎
a strong kiwi conference is great for the sharks. it will be easier for the sharks to get a home semi if the kiwi teams are fighting it out and denying eachother bonus points.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 13) :
You think that side is capable of getting through the conference?
@try time (Comment 15) :
To get a home Semi you are going to have to win your Conference with about 55 + points … and let’s be honest that just not going to happen is it ! 🙄
Sorry to poor cold water so early ! 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) :
As much chance as the Sharks !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 17) : you are right it won’t happen in the kiwi conference, because the teams are to strong. whereas in the aussie and sa conference the teams are a little weaker at the bottom, offering more points. i don’t support kiwi teams so there is no poor water poured on my home fire.
@try time (Comment 19) :
I think the Crusaders should top our Conference with 60+ points and should qualify easily in top spot.
I think the Blues will score about 50+ points enough to qualify
and the Canes about 40 points….. not enough ! 😕
I think that 48 points should be enough to top a conference, the next best 3 are the ones that should get as much points as possible.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 21) :
46 points won’t be enough to top any conference in IMHO ! 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) : depends if all black players keep getting 6 week injury layoffs, to keep them fresh for the world cup. i see richie is the first to take his. i think dan carter is going to get a 6 week injury after the sharks game.
@try time (Comment 23) :
I think McCaw is more likely to be missing for closer to 10 weeks ! 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 22) : 48 points is 12 out of 16 wins without bonus points. Not a lot of teams will manage that ratio to start with.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 25) :
….so include the bonus point !
…that’s what it’s there for !
…the top team in each Conference will be hoping to !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) : More derbies remember, not a lot of bonus points there, but yeah, I gave the bare minimum so lets see what happens 🙂
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 27) :
Jarson….. if the Saders are not scoring 4 tries a game somethings seriously up ! 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 28) : Not every game, and I think especially if Key players are rested for the RWC it’s more likely that there will be some pretty close games.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 29) :
…no honestly it won’t matter who they rest and when…. they are still going to score 4 tries in close games !
…..they are the best team on the planet …. honestly ! 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 30) :
…they have the worst draw and still are favourites ….they look like they will win this comp. without breaking a sweat !
….hurts me to say it ! 👿
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) :
in 2010 the highest number of try BPs was 7 by the Blues and they ended 7th. Highest overall BPs was also the Blues 9 (7 try & 2 loss) The Bulls got 6 Try BPs and the ended 1st.
57 Try BPs in 91 Games 62.6%
in 2009 the highest number of try BPs was 8 by the Blues and they ended 9th. Highest overall BPs was also the Blues 12 (8 try & 4 loss) The Bulls got 4 Try BPs and the ended 1st.
58 Try BPs in 91 Games 63.7%
in 2008 the highest number of try BPs was 8 by the Crusaders and they ended 1st. Highest overall BPs was the Cheetahs 9 (3 try & 6 loss)
46 Try BPs in 91 Games 50.5%
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 29) :
…name me a game they would not fancy scoring 4 Tries…. Reds away maybe, can’t think of any others off the top of my head !
…..do they have a hard game on the road ? ❓
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 33) :
…. Stormers … maybe ! 😕
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 30) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 31) : Arent they always the favourites, at least NZ’s favourites 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
….. so do you think the Saders will score less than 7 Try Bonus Points ! 🙄
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 35) :
True …. 👿 👿 👿
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 28) :
Saders scored the following try BPS each year in their 13 pool games.
2010 Try BPs in 6 games
2009 Try BPs in 3 games
2008 Try BPs in 8 games
2007 Try BPs in 7 games
2006 Try BPs in 5 games
@KSA Shark © (Comment 38) :
That’s not answering the question ! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 36) :
They have only ever gotten more than 7 ONCE.
So yes that IS what I think 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 40) :
Less than 7 your call …i’ll go more… way … way more !
Depressing 😈
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 39) : I posted that before i saw your question. 😆
They will score about the average just below 60%. Around 8 or 9.
scrap my previous comment ( @KSA Shark © (Comment 40) :: ) I was working on 13 pool games not 16
…always changing your mind !
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 36) :
What I am trying to illustrate here is that there are WAY less TRY BPs taken than we think each year.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 43) : 😛
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 41) : More? Yes.
Way More? No.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 45) :
Any rugby team on the planet right now …international or not that can stop that Saders outfit scoring 4 tries will have to play very well !
There are too many of those in the current Super comp. ! 😕
Thank you KSA
HH still believes NZ will win the WC and that the H’landers are making a comeback 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 46) :
are or aren’t?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 47) : You want one of my T-Shirts? 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) :
I am having some black golf shirts made with the words “4 More Years” in the shape of the silver fern over the left breast.
I heart the Highlanders! I hope they win or, you know, are close… Or that Jimmy Cowan doesn’t punch anyone.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 50) : I’ll wear it with pride
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 51) :
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 51) :
They Will be close, but Cowan will also punch someone. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 48) : aren’t 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 50) : @Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 52) :
🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 54) : Damn, he just so angry… I like it!
Im willing to take bets on the Saders BP try scoring antics!
Im willing to bet that they will score 4 tries or more in at least 10 of their games.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 58) : You and HH are both delusional 😉
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 59) :
Shall we put a small wager?
@so the saders can score the most bp for tries..but they won’t beat the stormers !
Hurricanes back 3 must be watched carefully,though.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 58) :
Up that to 11 and I’ll take the bet.
@bergshark (Comment 62) :
Nver mind just the back three. The WHOLE backline is DANGEROUS!!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 60) : I wont wager money, but how about 250 Sharksworld points 😛
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 58) : seems like a safe bet give me the odds LOL!!