Hurricanes in the community today and Academy series underway for Wellington on Saturday

The Hurricanes have always drawn large crowds in their pre-season community matches, and today could me no exception when they take on Moana Pasifika at their newest venue of NZCIS, kick-off 2.30pm and with free entry. 

It’s a lunchtime finish to the work and school week today with Wellington’s rugby fans, young and old, making the trip to the NZCIS ground in Upper Hutt for a 2.30pm kick-off between the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika.

This afternoon’s clash sees the two sides in their second and final on-field preparations before the start of the 2024 Super Rugby season next weekend, in which the Hurricanes will play the Force in Perth and Moana Pasifika the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Both sides will be running large squads in the fixture that will be structured like a regular 80 minute match with a 10-minute halftime break but with rolling subs and additional stoppages throughout.

The Hurricanes side sees the return of TJ Perenara to halfback, in his first match back after a lengthy injury layoff.

Thirty-five players have been named to take on Moana Pasifika, which will also see the return of All Blacks, Tyrel Lomax, and Jordie Barrett.

A feature of the Moana Pasifika team of 30 players  is recently departed Hurricanes legend Julian Savea at second-five and former Petone and now Southland livewire Viliami Fine at second five.

The Hurricanes team for today’s fixture is:

1. Xavier Numia
2. Asafo Aumua ©
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Caleb Delany
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Devan Flanders
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Peter Lakai
9. TJ Perenara
10. Aidan Morgan
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Reon Paul
13. Billy Proctor
14. Josh Moorby
15. Ruben Love

 Replacements:

16. James O’Reilly
17. Raymond Tuputupu
18. Pouri Rakete-Stones
19. Tevita Mafileo
20. Tyrel Lomax
21. James Tucker
22. Justin Sangster
23. Ben Grant
24. TK Howden
25. Veveni Lasaqa
26. Brayden Iose
27. Kyle Preston
28. Jordi Viljoen
29. Brett Cameron
30. Jordie Barrett
31. Riley Higgins
32. Kini Naholo
33. Daniel Sinkinson
34. Losi Filipo
35. Harry Godfrey

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The early season rugby continues on Saturday at Massey University with the second round of the Hurricanes region Academy series and first match for the Wellington team against week one winners Hawke’s Bay.

Hawke’s Bay beat Manawatu in a high scoring opening match in Napier last Saturday.

Wellington’s two games are tomorrow and next week at the same venue against their Manawatu counterparts.

These games also double as Hurricanes U20s trials, ahead of the Hurricanes U20s campaign coming up in March.

The three teams also play for a recently instigated trophy named in honour of the late Sam Doyle who passed away after a long illness in late 2022.

Tomorrow’s match at Massey between Wellington and Hawke’s Bay kicks off at 12.00pm.

Also at Massey, a Manawatu High Performance team takes on the visiting Pacific Island Rugby side from Bay of Plenty. Kick-off in that game is also 12.00pm.

Teams:

Wellington:

Unavailable due to injury : Tofuka Paongo, Matolu Petaia

Head Coach: Trent Renata

Assistant Coaches: Eugene Smith & Tomasi Palu

Team Managers: Mike Parker & Andrew Robinson

Trainers : Mikaera Wiki & Matt Higgins

Physios : Manny Jude & Gareth Ward-Allen

Video Analyst: Felix Filipo

Campaign Manager: Rick Whatarau

Hawke’s Bay

Round 2 of the Hurricanes Region Academy Series will be played, tomorrow. Good luck to our Hawke's Bay Academy team, who'll take on Wellington Academy! If you're in/near Palmerston North, come support our lads in ⚫️&⚪️!@ClubRugby pic.twitter.com/FyzWJoazCT

— Hawke's Bay Magpies (@Magpies_Unoff) February 16, 2024