Hurricanes reveal surprise flyhalf selection for Chiefs

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hurricanes debutant Orbyn Leger will start at flyhalf against the Chiefs, with Jackson Garden-Bachop unavailable due to the injury sustained against the Crusaders.

The 24-year-old Leger has gained experience at Mitre 10 Cup level playing for Counties Manukau since 2017. He has also previously played Super Rugby for both the Blues and, most recently, the Chiefs.

Among other changes, head coach Jason Holland has promoted Luke Campbell, Salesi Rayasi and Billy Proctor to starting positions as part of a backline re-jig. Hurricanes centurion, Julian Savea, shifts to the right wing.

Up front, Xavier Numia, gets his first start of 2021, with Fraser Armstrong ready to add impact off the bench.

He’ll be joined on the pine by more firepower, including Peter Umaga-Jensen, Devan Flanders and Wes Goosen.

With both the Hurricanes and the Chiefs on the hunt for their first win of Super Rugby Aotearoa, Saturday’s clash is set to be a thriller.

Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Orbyn Leger, 9 Luke Campbell, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Xavier Numia.

Replacements: 16 James O'Reilly, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Liam Mitchell, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23 Wes Goosen.

Date: Saturday, March 20

Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington'

Kick-off: 19.05 (06.05 GMT)

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, James Doleman

TMO: Glen Newman