Hurricanes followers have been handled to some red-hot type from their facet because the Wellington membership has ascended to the highest of the Tremendous Rugby Pacific desk, however the sight of their younger star fullback in a moon boot gained’t be aiding the celebrations.
The Hurricanes are already coping with the suspension of All Black Jordie Barrett, who will serve the third of his three-week ban this week – until he has accomplished World Rugby’s teaching intervention program – within the matchup towards the Rebels in Palmerston North.
Whereas Riley Higgins has stepped in admirably for Barrett within the Hurricanes midfield and there may be some high quality depth within the exterior backs as properly, Canes followers have been left to worry over the well being of Ruben Love. Fortunately, new coach Clarke Laidlaw revealed on Monday that the harm isn’t important.
“Yeah, it’s just precautionary,” he told Newstalk ZB. “He had a sore ankle since the Blues game, so the moon boots are great little contraptions that take the weight off your foot and if he’s (been spotted) lying, sunning himself (watching football) then I’m sure he’s fine.
“He’s an example though, isn’t he? He’s played all preseason, he’s played big minutes so far. If we have to risk him or we don’t feel we have to risk him, as I said we’ll decide that in the next 24 hours.”
The Hurricanes team will be announced on Wednesday at 4 pm NZT. Laidlaw went on to reflect on recent selections and clarify what was influencing his selection decisions for the coming weeks.
“Not so much around winning and losing, we’ve got a lot of good players in the squad. So, we’ve been trying through injuries and suspension, there’s been a lot of change anyway. So that’s probably helped.
“Certainly up front, it’s allowed a natural rotation of players. In the backs, there are a few itching to get a run, so one (change) we will have is TJ (Perenara) will start this week. Cam (Roigard) is going to have a week off with his All Blacks rest. So, we’re certainly looking at that, we’ve got a few sore bodies from the weekend.
“We’ve trained this morning, we’ll catch up with the medical crew this afternoon to finalise the team.”
