Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Brumbies and Kirifi’s 100th

• By Kevin McCarthy

Not everyone will agree, but sometimes you’ve got to say a certain piece of building is worth every disputed dollar.

At a  bit over 600 million dollars , with inevitable turf battles over cost and who pays what, Christchurch and Canterbury tonight get back what many would feel was the beating heart, the new stadium.

The wider region has been on an upswing for some time, coming out of the earthquake nightmare. Yes, rugby has continued to have a home, but not somewhere in the heart of the city.

It means just in rugby terms, the return of test matches, and finally, a sheltered arena for those bitter nights that I’m sure a few have you have had in the stands in the city.

But grown men and women have been tearing up and choking back emotion now that Te Kaha is finally being christened, in the shadow of where so many lives were lost in the CTV collapse, more than 15 years ago.

And for those of us not born with red and black blood, and who delight in trolling our southern cousins and their spasmodic title success, it’s a time to share in a little of that pride. They built that, but so did we.

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On to of course the super round, where the new arena hosts 10 teams in five matches.

Surely the Crusaders will see off the Waratahs – especially with their new hybrid open side flanker.

The Chiefs, Highlanders and Blues will probably also take away wins, although I wouldn’t bet the house.

Then we come to what is actually the second match, late afternoon, between the Canes and their nemesis team, the Brumbies.

Strictly this is neutral ground, and the Brumbies don’t look so invincible away from the high vedlt of Canberra.

However, it is the Brumbies, and a must-win for both sides. Those Cantab fans better turn out for us, just saying.

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What about that extra time thriller in Hamilton.

In a different universe, Warner Dearns actually collects the charge down from Damian McKenzie’s dropkick attempt. He rumbles downfield and scores 70 metres  away at the other end [AKA the McBain Miracle try in club rugby a few seasons back].

If we meet again in the finals, then let’s just acknowledge they’ve had the rub this time.

But karma actually wears a yellow jersey.

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Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi is set to run out to play his 100^th Super Rugby match on Saturday against the Brumbies.

Seven years on from his Hurricanes debut in 2019, Kirifi is set to become the Hurricanes’ 19^th centurion after being named to start at openside flanker in an Anzac Day clash that doubles as a Captain Shout Cup contest at the new venue in Christchurch.

Kirifi forms part of a forward pack that includes five changes from the side that faced the Chiefs, including a brand-new front row made up by loosehead prop Siale Lauaki, hooker Raymond Tuputupu and tighthead prop Tevita Mafileo.

Caleb Delany returns to the starting lineup to partner with Warner Dearns in the second row, while Brayden Iose starts at No 8 for the first time since round six. He joins Kirifi and Devan Flanders in the loose forwards.

The backline remains unchanged.In the reserves, Josh Gray is in line to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut.

The Hurricanes will be defending the Captain Shout Cup that they won last year for the first time.

It is named in honour of Gallipoli war hero Captain Alfred Shout VC, MC, who served the New Zealand and Australian military with distinction.

Kick-off for Saturday’s match against the Brumbies is scheduled for 5:05pm NZT.

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY BRUMBIES

1. Siale Lauaki (10)
2. Raymond Tuputupu (18)
3. Tevita Mafileo (64)
4. Caleb Delany (46)
5. Warner Dearns (8)
6. Devan Flanders (64)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (99) – co-captain
8. Brayden Iose (59)
9. Cam Roigard (55)
10. Ruben Love (48)
11. Fehi Fineanganofo (20)
12. Jordie Barrett (119) – co-captain
13. Billy Proctor (75)
14. Josh Moorby (46)
15. Callum Harkin (17)
16. Asafo Aumua (83)
17. Xavier Numia (84)
18. Pasilio Tosi (45)
19. Brad Shields (135)
20. Peter Lakai (44)
21. Ereatara Enari (19)
22. Jone Rova (7)
23. Josh Gray (debut)

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 5 weeks
Isaia Walker-Leawere (concussion): 1 week
Hugo Plummer (ankle): 1-2 weeks
Taine Roiri (hamstring): 2-4 weeks
Cooper Flanders (collarbone): 1-2 weeks
Jai Tamati (ankle): 2 weeks
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Bailyn Sullivan (leg): 1-2 weeks
Josh Timu (ankle): TBC