Super Rugby: Julian Savea returns for Hurricanes' clash with Highlanders
Friday 27 May 2016 09:34, UK
The Hurricanes have their five suspended stars back for Friday's rematch of last season's Super Rugby final against the Highlanders, as players look for a final boost to their Test credentials.
The curfew-breaking bad boys all return, which means a start for Julian Savea on the wing with the incumbent All Black in need of a strong performance after indifferent form this year.
The Waratahs, with a tenuous lead in the Australian Conference, face overall leaders the Chiefs, while rival South Africa Conference leaders the Bulls and Lions go head-to-head in what is the final round of fixtures before the June Test window.
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The last time the Hurricanes hosted the Highlanders in Wellington was in last year's Grand Final. The Highlanders ran out 21-14 victors that day and they backed up that performance in round two this year with a narrow 17-16 win over the Canes in Dunedin.
There is a lot at stake for playmakers Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga who are arguably ranked second and third behind Aaron Cruden as the next All Blacks fly-half.
"This was a very tough team to select," said Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd. "Nobody is under any illusion that this is an important match for both teams."
The Highlanders have beaten the top two sides, the Chiefs and Crusaders, in their last two outings and return to Wellington with nine from the starting line-up in last year's memorable final.
While the Hurricanes have labelled the clash a "rematch", Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod said the southerners were not buying into that.
"We've not talked about the final, and so it shouldn't be as we are sixth and seventh. If we were both top of the table then maybe it would be talked about," he said.
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The Chiefs, just one point ahead of the Crusaders, head to Sydney where the Waratahs are just one point ahead of the Brumbies in the Australian Conference.
The Waratahs have made four changes to the side beaten last week in Christchurch, notably injecting Wycliff Palu and former All Black Zac Guildford into the starting line-up.
Israel Folau continues to find his feet at outside centre, providing an interesting match-up with Seta Tamanivalu, who is in the running for the All Blacks No 13 jersey.
The Lions may be without the injured Elton Jantjies for Saturday's trip to Pretoria but Bulls coach Nollis Marais has warned his side not to get over-confident.
"That team doesn't rely on just one person, they are a good team all over," said Marais.
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The Bulls need to maintain their unbeaten home record this year to stay on top of their conference where they are ahead on points differential against the Stormers, who have an easier task against the Cheetahs.
"We made a decision at the beginning of the season, if we play at Loftus then we need to be up for it. There are no excuses," said Marais.
The Crusaders, who slipped from the top of the championship when they missed out on a bonus point against the Waratahs, play the Blues.
The Brumbies, ready to pounce in the Australia group if the Waratahs slip up, play the lowly Sunwolves, the Kings face fellow strugglers the Jaguares, while the Rebels and Force meet in Melbourne on Sunday.
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