Aisle be Back: Hurricanes v Highlanders

• By Kevin McCarthy 

It’s the penultimate round but really, it may as well be the final round of Super Rugby Pacific for the Hurricanes, if they execute this weekend.

There are as always the odd booby traps to make things tasty, however.

The Crusaders host the Chiefs at their new home. Should they win, then they will cement their playoff position, and avoid getting sucked into the ragtag chasing pack of Aussie teams.

The Saders would also be breathing down the necks of a wobbly Blues side should they win.

And of course, a Chiefs loss would mean the Hurricanes – five points clear on the table – would have their home finals status in the hands to achieve tomorrow against the Highlanders.

A Chiefs win will see all less certain, with the Hurricanes then potentially having to go to Christchurch in the last round and win. The Chiefs – at home to the Blues – could then sneak through. It does require some bonus point magic to go their way.

Of course, if the Hurricanes catastrophically lose to the Highlanders this week, it becomes a straight shootout in the last round.

Just remember that should the sides be tied on the league table, it will come down to who has the most wins overall. Currently both have 10 wins.

So, the ideal scenario is for Cane Trainsters (I notice some extra people sneaking on at the last stop) is a bonus point win over the Highlanders, and a Chiefs loss to the Crusaders, OR a Chiefs win but with no bonus point. At that point, they would be six points behind on the table. Game over.

I guess it’s no surprise that the Canes have rested man of the season, Fehi Fineanganofo – even though he is eyeing a shot at the season try scoring record. It’s also 50-match turnouts for Josh Moorby and Pasilio Tosi. Man, those numbers clock up very fast these days.

In a terrible week for the capital city’s general morale, there’s a little bit riding on the Canes keeping their show rolling, fans turning out en masse for what is hopefully a march to hosting the finals, and a general boost for the hometown economy.

But in strictly rugby terms, great to see the team this week openly speak about having firm expectations to win the title this year. No hedging bets in classic Kiwi fashion to avoid tall poppy syndrome.

They know last season they got turned over by a better Chiefs side playing in Wellington. They don’t want to end this season wondering.

+++++

At the other end of the table, this is the last home match ever – unless a very sudden white knight appears – for Moana Pasifika. It would at least be something if they could knock over the Reds.

Their final match will then be against ACT in Canberra. Well, I guess that’s been a place for a while for gravediggers.

+++++

Following last week’s 47-24 win over the Blues, six changes and a positional switch have been made to the starting lineup, which is headlined by the selection of Pasilio Tosi and Josh Moorby for their 50th Hurricanes appearances.

Tosi retains his place at tighthead prop to form a front row that features hooker Asafo Aumua and loosehead prop Siale Lauaki, who earns his first start since the Super Round victory over the Brumbies on Anzac Day.

A potential debutant features among the reserves, with Tom Allen in line to make his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance.

A former New Zealand Schools and New Zealand U20 representative, Allen is a product of the Hurricanes age-grade system, having represented the Hurricanes at U18 and U20 level, and first played for Hawke’s Bay in the NPC as a teenager three years ago.

Meanwhile Wellington’s Stanley Solomon is on the Highlanders bench for the first time and is in line to make his Super Rugby debut on his home ground.

Kick-off for Saturday’s match against the Highlanders, which doubles as Super Kids Round, is scheduled for 7:05pm, with gates open from 5:30pm and fans allowed on field post-match.

HURRICANES TEAM TO PLAY HIGHLANDERS (Hurricanes caps in brackets)

1. Siale Lauaki (14)
2. Asafo Aumua (86)
3. Pasilio Tosi (50th match)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (88)
5. Warner Dearns (11)
6. Devan Flanders (68)
7. Peter Lakai (47)
8. Brayden Iose (63)
9. Ereatara Enari (23)
10. Ruben Love (51)
11. Kini Naholo (34)
12. Jordie Barrett (122) – co-captain
13. Bailyn Sullivan (48)
14. Ngane Punivai (16)
15. Josh Moorby (50th match)
16. Jacob Devery (22)
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (58)
18. Tevita Mafileo (66)
19. Tom Allen (debut)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (102) – co-captain
21. Jordi Viljoen (8)
22. Lucas Cashmore (4)
23. Jone Rova (11)

UNAVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

Tyrel Lomax (ankle): 1 week
Cam Roigard (calf): 1 week
Brett Cameron (knee): Expected to miss season
Harry Godfrey (knee): Expected to miss season
Riley Higgins (shoulder): TBC
Anaru Paenga-Morgan (concussion): 1-2 weeks
Drew Wild (shoulder): TBC
Josh Gray (calf): TBC