New-look Hurricanes for Stormers clash
BY TOBY ROBSON
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Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has responded to the side's first loss with five changes to his starting side in naming a full-strength side to play the Stormers on Sunday.
Loosehead prop John Schwalger and openside Karl Lowe have paid the price for a wobbly scrum and a string of penalties at the breakdown during the loss to the Cheetahs last weekend.
Schwalger makes way for Jacob Ellison, who gets his first start of the season, and Scott Waldrom is reinstated on the openside for Karl Lowe, who has struggled with new law interpretations at the tackle.
Centre Conrad Smith solidifies the midfield after missing the Cheetahs match through injury, and Tamati Ellison likewise returns to the wing in a backline that will be guided by senior first-five Willie Ripia.
Youngsters Alapati Leiua and Aaron Cruden, as well as Schwalger, drop to the reserves, while wing Andre Taylor and Brett Mather, who did not feature against the Cheetahs, are out of the squad altogether.
Most of the changes are predictable, though the constant tinkering with the loose trio is of concern with all combinations tried to date having trouble staying on-side with the referees.
The selection of the mobile Ellison and Waldrom suggest the Hurricanes could be looking to increase the tempo against a Stormers side that has taken on a new look up front this season, strong at the set piece and maul.
Cruden's demotion to the bench was a fait accompli after he struggled against the Cheetahs, while Ripia's goalkicking has suddenly become a must-have after Piri Weepu's off-night in Bloemfontein.
A fast-paced game may not be the easiest task for the Hurricanes, who have arrived in Cape Town to an unseasonable heat wave that has seen temperatures soar to 40 degrees celsius this week.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee is unlikely to make major changes to his side after their 33-0 win over the Highlanders, though first-choice hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and wing Gio Aplon are available again after missing that match due to flu.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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Ladies, please! The Hurricanes will get caned. They are too busy pampering their looks with gel and mascara and playing with handbags. The Stormers will beat them into submission.
Umm...do you think stuff.co.nz would actually list the team at the end of the article about this new-look Hurricanes team?
Perenise is the man if he gets game time, tialata is just a big lard he may be good at scrums but skills, and running around and offloading ummmm maybe not jacob ellison is over rated not sure how he is up there maybe with some connections lol maybe let dane coles hava start he knows how to somehow score trys but then again hore is the best and for all of you guys norths is going to take out the jubilee this year hahahahahaha
Think you need to check your spelling , Im pretty sure arden and brendon were playing that day. if you can honestly say msp can beat norths both at full strength ill go home and start following table tennis.
Reagrding some of the comments concerning Cruden dropping back to the bench, I think Ripia clearly deserves the number 10 position. He perhaps doesn't dazzle but is solid all around and has one big asset. In my opinion one of the best tactical kicking games in the country, and that alone has been a lot more influential than he's credited with.
Faatonu Fili's skill set were made for Super Rugby! Its a shame the selectors never gave him a shot! He would have been the answer to our 1st 5 problems!
And yes I Agree Norths are the top breeding ground for rugby talent in Wellington. John Schwalger, Anthony Perenise, J Ellison, T Ellison, Serge Lilo, Robbie Fruean Pati Leiua, Api Naikatini, Faifili Levave, Buxton Popoali'i and the list goes on....
Greg #9 nonsense. He is only a young fella and you will be eating your words in a year or 2. You don't carve up the AirNZ cup like him without true talent. It will take some time to get up to speed in Super 14 but Cruden is the future!
@Iceman: MSP were without Fa'atonu Fili, Apoua Stewart, Brendan Watt, Arden David, Ged Robinson... all on Wellington duties. Please stick to soprts you're familiar with, not band wagon jumping without a background knowledge of the facts.
Sure the Canes are chokers but the Stormers are even more so..they will not get anywhere this year!
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@David #41- I totally agree with you comments about Willie Ripia. Cruden is the future but Ripia is the now ... HIs tactical kicking is right up there thanks to that specialist training from that McManus guy and his goal kicking must be on the improve as well if he is to take the kicking duties off Weepu! @Dave #37- Mate the day we get complacent like yourself is the day that we are doomed .... always show respect to the opposition buddy =)