Three rugby matches this Saturday for Hurricanes supporters

The Hurricanes Poua women’s side opens its Super Rugby competition on Saturday, hosting the Chiefs Manawa at Levin. 

There are three matches this Saturday for lower North Island rugby followers to watch and follow.

After last week’s Wellington – Hawke’s Bay Hurricanes U20s match was called off, the scheduled third match of this series between Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay is set to be played at Massey University #4 at 1.00pm.

This is part of the inaugural Sam Doyle Memorial Trophy series, presented by the Hurricanes Alumni.

A possible re-scheduled Wellington-Hawke’s Bay fixture following this game has yet to be determined.

The Academy match also doubles as a trial for the final selection for the Hurricanes U20s, who play the Crusaders U20s in Wellington on 11 March and then attend the Super Rugby U20 tournament in Taupo from 16-25 March.

Heading south, the Hurricanes Poua host the Chiefs Manawa in the opening match of the Super Rugby Aupiki series.

The fixture kicks off at the Levin Domain at 2.05pm.

The Poua team is:

1 Krystal Murray *
2 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
3 Cristo Tofa *
4 Joanah Ngan-Woo
5 Jackie Patea-Fereti (C)
6 Kahurangi Sturmey
7 Rhiarna Ferris
8 Layla Sae
9 Iritana Hohaia
10 Carys Dallinger
11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga
12 Monica Tagoai
13 Shakira Baker *
14 Bernadette Robertson *
15 Isabella Waterman *

Reserves
16 Saphire Abraham *
17 Cilia-Marie Po’e-Tofaeono *
18 Sosoli Talawadua *
19 Rachael Rakatau
20 Kaipo Olsen-Baker
21 Milly Mackey *
22 Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali *
23 Crystal Mayes

* Denotes debut

Later that night, the Hurricanes men’s team open their Super Rugby Pacific season against the Reds.

Kick-off at Townsville is 9.45pm.

Peter Lakai is set to make his debut at openside flanker and Harry Godfrey off the bench.

The bench is split between six forwards and two backs, with Godfrey and Jamie Booth the listed backs reserves.

The Hurricanes team is:

1 Xavier Numia
2 Dane Coles
3 Owen Franks
4 James Blackwell
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
6 Devan Flanders
7 Peter Lakai *
8 Ardie Savea©
9 Cameron Roigard
10 Aidan Morgan
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Billy Proctor
14 Julian Savea
15 Josh Moorby

Replacements:
16 Asafo Aumua
17 Tevita Mafileo
18 Tyrel Lomax
19 Caleb Delany
20 Du’Plessis Kirifi
21 Brayden Iose
22 Jamie Booth
23 Harry Godfrey *

*Denotes debut

Unavailable for selection: Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Dan Sinkinson, Justin Sangster, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Jacob Devery.