The Silver Fern

@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

I was probably a bit harsh on my first judgement of the team, purely because i saw Enari was starting. Its awesome that we have 4 very decent tight heads and Mafeleo can obviously cover loosehead. 6-2 bench shows we must be looking to beat them through the middle, which is a new Canes approach. Happy for Proctor and Roigard to return from bench, hopefully on early, Also happy to see Fineanganofo preferred over punivai.

Frustrating that we have Enari and Cameron combining in the halves.

Petaia is a wider squad right? I saw that IWL and Delaney are injured, what of Tom Allen?

Allen and IWL should be available for the next match.

Higgins would be on the bench if it wasn’t for the 6-2 split. Obviously the Canes are keen to bring the physicality.

@Dan54 said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

I thought the idea of Roigard etc coming off bench was because they have had f*** all game time, so start of with players that have been training from start and bring them in. It's almost their preseason. No idea where Higgins is, has he been playing preseason and going well? As for Enari over Viljoen , I reckon they flip of coin anyway, neither great.

Higgins played both pre seasons and was probably our most consistent back. Vijoen had a very good game against the Blues and then they barely played him against the Chiefs.

They seem to love Enari, but how the heck are these guys meant to get better if they simply aren’t getting minutes.

@canefan said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

@sparky said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

Where's Riley Higgins?

I do find it funny that the clubs want big crowds to start the year but then proceed to play all the ABs off the bench or not even at all. Bit of a piss take in my view, especially when they have all the top players on all the marketing material. All this rest protocol is BS.

All this hype around Roigard, Love, Higgins etc and then we get the Temu version of the Canes with the likes of Enari ffs.

What the fuck are they resting for?!

Fiji next week? Fuck knows.

@sparky said in Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika:

Where's Riley Higgins?

I do find it funny that the clubs want big crowds to start the year but then proceed to play all the ABs off the bench or not even at all. Bit of a piss take in my view, especially when they have all the top players on all the marketing material. All this rest protocol is BS.

All this hype around Roigard, Love, Higgins etc and then we get the Temu version of the Canes with the likes of Enari ffs.

Was thinking about going to this game but fk that. Roigard on the bench, no Higgins, Failagi on the bench, no Laumape, Love injured, Enari starting.

What a d buzz.

@MN5 said in T20 World Cup:

@Chris said in T20 World Cup:

Ravindra needs to sort out that horrible inside out swing he has sliced a lot lately bottom hand problem

Yeah he is one of too many guys selected for T20 based on class in the longer forms.

We dropped the guy that was getting back to his best in Conway.

Tim-Finn gooone. Typical Black Caps in a leaky boat.

Don’t lose your form now Timothy.

@Gunner said in T20 World Cup:

Great to see our bowling being taken apart by world heavyweights Canada..

The CAN openers are killing us.

I’ll grab my coat.

Not sure where to put this but this is absolutely devastating for Angus and his family.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360939810/highlanders-prop-angus-taavao-confirms-sons-death

Great interview with new Hurricane's owner Malcolm Gillies and interim CEO Tony Philp.

They come across as very motivated and ambitious, most importantly they are taking fan feedback into account.

If they can follow through with even half the things they are talking about, then the Cake Tin will be the place to be when the Canes are in town. Good luck to them.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/wellington/wellington-mornings-with-nick-mills/audio/hurricanes-malcolm-gillies-and-tony-philp-on-the-moana-pasifika-game-this-week/

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

Lakai

Potential to be a superb international 7, however after claiming the 8 jersey last year his future might be there.

Personally, I'd like to see the ABs persist with Lakai at 7, and Sititi at 8, alongside a bigger 6. Ardie as impact loosie off the bench.

The problem with this is the same as Savea + Sititi though. It relies on a 3rd member who doesn't exist.

Hopefully someone puts their hand up in Super this year. Definitely a key missing piece for the ABs right now.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

Lakai

Potential to be a superb international 7, however after claiming the 8 jersey last year his future might be there.

Personally, I'd like to see the ABs persist with Lakai at 7, and Sititi at 8, alongside a bigger 6. Ardie as impact loosie off the bench.

@SecFid said in Hurricanes 2026:

Is giving JB the co-captaincy a way of easing him back to 15 to allow Higgins to be at 12? JB might start at 12 on Friday due to the absence of Kirifi though. Brad Cooper reported as saying Cameron and Cashmore were the backups to Love - so Cameron starts. Laidlaw can’t risk having Cashmore on the bench though because he (and Cameron) are a bit too diminutive under the box-kick and the Blues v Chiefs game suggests Super between the NZ teams will be kick fests

I'd say Harkin will be the back-up as he covers 10/15 and provides more utility value.

You're probably right in regard to Barrett starting at 12, Higgins was our best performing back in pre-season, especially in that first game against the Blues so will be interesting to see where he features.

I wouldn't be against starting Higgins at 13 outside Barrett due to the fact Proctor hasn't played any minutes yet. They would likely start Sullivan at 13 ahead of Higgins though.

Going from the injury list just over a week ago when they played the Chiefs, this should be the updated timings.

Unavailable Due To Injury

Tyrel Lomax (thumb): should be fit for selection this week
Caleb Delany (calf): 2 weeks
Tom Allen (leg/foot): should be fit for selection this week
Brad Shields (finger): should be fit for selection this week
Du’Plessis Kirifi (calf): 3-4 weeks
Peter Lakai (calf): should be fit for selection this week
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Kini Naholo (knee): 2-3 weeks
Ruben Love: (ankle): 4-6 weeks

I'd be happy to run with the following 23:

1. X Numia
2. A Aumua
3. P Tosi (have Lomax coming off the bench as he's played no minutes in pre-season
4. I Walker-Leawere
5. W Dearns
6. D Flanders
7. P Lakai
8. B Iose
9. C Roigard
10. B Cameron
11. F Fineanganofo
12. R Higgins
13. B Sullivan (have Proctor coming off the bench as he's played no mins in pre-season)
14. J Moorby
15. J Barrett

Reserves:
16. V Bason
17. T Mafileo
18. T Lomax
19. H Plummer
20. C Flanders
21. J Vijoen
22. C Harkin
23. B Proctor

@Grooter said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life looks good, Fainga'nuku tanked my fantasy team so Higgins straight in

Yeah I had Lester as my captain, he was mud.

Laidlaw will likely go with Barrett at 12 and Harkin at 15 though I would say.

@canefan said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:

Love won’t be missing the season at all despite rumours posted above.

Scans have come back with no fractures/breaks but there is ligament damage. They are hoping for 4 weeks on the sideline at most.

Not the end of the world then aye. Maybe luck is finally turning for us. The first four games are all very winnable for the Canes so if he’s going to miss some of the season the first four games are the ones to miss.

Cameron will have to hold the line

Perfectly fine with that. Harkin will have to be back-up.

Wouldn’t mind a week 1 (2) backline of 9. Roigard 10. Cameron 11. Fineanganofo 12. Higgins 13. Proctor 14. Moorby and 15. Barrett

Reserves backs: 21. Vijoen 22. Harkin 23. Sullivan

@Landers92 said in Hurricanes 2026:

Love won’t be missing the season at all despite rumours posted above.

Scans have come back with no fractures/breaks but there is ligament damage. They are hoping for 4 weeks on the sideline at most.

Not the end of the world then aye. Maybe luck is finally turning for us. The first four games are all very winnable for the Canes so if he’s going to miss some of the season the first four games are the ones to miss.

@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:

@WoodysRFC

Up the gulls. Easta-Bourna!

@Grooter said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life I agree with James Marshall you do get the feeling it could be the time where it all comes together for the Canes

They’ve got all the pieces, if those pieces stay in one piece.