The Hurricanes will meet Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium on Friday night, with 11 alterations to the starting XV.
Brad Shields (blindside flanker), Kini Naholo (left wing), Bailyn Sullivan (centre), and Justin Sangster (lock) are the only four starters from last weekend’s squad, with Raymond Tuputupu (hooker) and Siale Lauaki (tighthead prop) making their Hurricanes debuts.
James O’Reilly (hooker), Jordi Viljoen (halfback), and Salesi Rayasi (outside back) will all return to the bench. Jordie Barrett, T.J. Perenara, Josh Moorby, Ruben Love, and Brett Cameron are all out of the team, while Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, Caleb Delany, and Billy Proctor are still unavailable for selection.
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika
Kickoff at Sky Stadium is at 7.05 p.m. on Friday.
Julian Savea returns to Moana Pasifika’s starting lineup for Friday night’s match against his former squad in Wellington.
Savea has played 153 games with the Hurricanes but will be facing them for the first time. His comeback is one of several changes made by the team, including Samiuela Moli beginning at hooker and Sione Mafielo (tighthead) and Abraham Pole (loosehead) as props.
Tom Savage returns to the starting line-up at lock, while Jacob Norris and Sione Havili Talitui rejoin the loose three at blindside and openside, respectively.