Hurricanes lose key players

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Hurricanes have named their team to face the Highlanders in Round Five of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

The Hurricanes are looking for their second win of the tournament, after taking down the Chiefs 25–18 in Hamilton last week.

Murphy Taramai is set to become Hurricane 274, after being named on the bench for this Sunday’s clash at the Wellington Regional Stadium,.

Due to minor injuries, Dane Coles, Fraser Armstrong, Gareth Evans and Reed Prinsep have not been included in the squad.

It means, Ben May, Asafo Aumua and Devan Flanders have been called up to the starting XV.

There’s also been a change at flyhalf, as Fletcher Smith rotates with Jackson Garden-Bachop and Vince Aso has made his way back into the midfield – a heavily contested position.

The Hurricanes have won the last four games at the Wellington Regional Stadium, against the Highlanders.

Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ben May.

Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen.

Date: Sunday, July 12

Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 15.35 (03.35 GMT)

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant referees: James Doleman, Ben O'Keeffe

TMO: Mike Fraser