Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes

[Duluth]

https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-named-for-drua-clash

1 Tevita Mafileo
2 James O’Reilly
3 Pasilio Tosi
4 Ben Grant*
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
6 Brad Shields (Captain)
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Devan Flanders
9 TJ Perenara
10 Aidan Morgan
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Billy Proctor
14 Kini Naholo
15 Josh Moorby

16 Asafo Aumua
17 Xavier Numia
18 Siale Lauaki*
19 Caleb Delany
20 Peter Lakai
21 Richard Judd
22 Ruben Love
23 Bailyn Sullivan

[Duluth]

https://drua.rugby/content/fijian-drua-mens-squad-named-for-hurricanes-match-nasilasila-returns

Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Meli Derenalagi, Peni Matawalu, Michael Naitokani, Junior Ratuva

[Canes4life]

@Duluth interesting no Godfrey or Higgins named at all. Plenty of changes, hope it doesn’t bite us.

[Machpants]

@Canes4life said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Duluth interesting no Godfrey or Higgins named at all. Plenty of changes, hope it doesn’t bite us.

Yup not what we thought, fingers crossed

[foobaNZ]

Love to get some minutes at 10? Seems likely.

[Winger]

Ben GRANT (Benjamin William GRANT) is a 25-year-old Australian rugby player standing at 2.05 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 118 kg (18 st 8.15 lb; 260.15 lb) , who currently plays for Hurricanes in New Zealand as lock.

[Bones]

@Winger thanks, was going to ask. Never heard of the fella, big lump. Could he become eligible for ABs?

[Duluth]

Grant played 8 games for Harbour last year. The pack went ok but I can’t remember anything about him other than he was a beanpole.

[Bones]

@Duluth appears he's not so beanpole anymore!

[ruggabee]

@Bones said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Duluth appears he's not so beanpole anymore!

definitely beanpole 2.05cm usually a lock that tall weigh well over 120kg

[Bones]

@ruggabee 2kg lighter than Whitelock and 2cm taller then. I really, really think that's a marginal difference.

[Duluth]

@Bones

Still a bit of a beanpole

He had a couple of seasons at the Reds too

[Winger]

@Canes4life said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Duluth interesting no Godfrey or Higgins named at all. Plenty of changes, hope it doesn’t bite us.

Godfrey isn't it seems seen as the backup FB to Love. Moorby seems to be.

Higgins seems to be on the outer a bit now. Also surprised to not see PRS in the 23. Iose might not be available this week

Rayasi gets another start, He looks ordinary now

Im keen to see how Lauaki goes. And Grant

[Canes4life]

@Winger not too sure if it means they (Godfrey and Higgins) are on the outer as such. Higgins was very good when Barrett was on suspension so they will have a plan for both players I'm sure. Both players may have picked up niggles last week, we don't fully know so I guess no point speculating. They've both proven they can play well at this level, I'm sure we will see them again, potentially against the Tahs when they return to Welly. By then the likes of Barrett, Moorby etc will probably be rested.

Will be interesting to see how Grant goes, he looks to be a big lad so if they can get him involved in a few games this year, it will give us even more depth next year (pending who we sign). Lauaki is another player that looks to have a big future, he's pretty much the player we thought Alex Fidow might be. Instead Lauaki can actually scrum but has that devastating ball running ability aswell.

Good to see Sullivan back in the frame, hopefully he can have an injury free run for a while.

[booboo]

@Winger said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

Ben GRANT (Benjamin William GRANT) is a 25-year-old Australian rugby player standing at 2.05 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 118 kg (18 st 8.15 lb; 260.15 lb) , who currently plays for Hurricanes in New Zealand as lock.

Immediate dislike.

[Canes4life]

@Duluth said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

Grant played 8 games for Harbour last year. The pack went ok but I can’t remember anything about him other than he was a beanpole.

He played in the MLR aswell for the same team as Ma'a Nonu and Richard Judd.

Some highlights of the big man, he looks to have gained a couple kegs in the last year. Kind of looks like a taller and slimmer version of Jeremy Thrush.

[Bones]

@Canes4life reminds me a heck of a lot of Chris Jack. Got some acceleration for a lanky fucker.

[Canes4life]

Siale Lauaki for a 20 year old is a big lad. At 125kg and 1.94m, he's taller and will most likely be heavier than Lomax in the next year or so. Hopefully he can learn off Lomax in the next four or five seasons and can take over once he moves on.

https://all.rugby/player/siale-lauaki

[Canes4life]

@Bones haha he looks extra lanky in those picks VS the pre-season games playing for the Canes. Could be a solid lock if he can put 5-10 more kg on that frame of his.

The Canes have definitely flipped the script by signing extra tall locks versus the hobbits from the last few seasons.

[Mr Fish]

Ben Grant and Siale Lauaki both have to be All Blacks options for the mid-year Tests too, naturally. Don't care if Grant's technically not eligible yet.