Declared fit: Conrad Smith
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Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has made just one change to his starting XV for Friday's clash with the Reds in Brisbane.
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, a favourite with people who like to bet on rugby, will return to the side to start at tighthead prop in place of Ben May. Captain Conrad Smith was declared fit after he overcame concussion sustained in the defeat to the Blues last weekend.
Smith passed a computerised psychometric test and also completed a non-contact session and the odds of a win for his side have shortened, with bookmakers like Paddy Power, on the back of the news.
Hammet has also made a couple of changes to his bench. Ash Dixon is replaced by Motu Matu'u as the replacement hooker. Matu'u will make his first appearance in 2013 after suffering a pectoral injury during pre-season training.
James Broadhurst will pull on the number 18 jersey as he comes in to replace the injured Mark Reddish.
Other players not considered for selection this week due to injury includes Jack Lam (knee), Eric Sione (shoulder) and Blade Thomson (ankle).
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.
Date: Friday, March 1
Kick-off: 21:20 local (10:20 GMT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
Comments
Tamjon says...
Isograford, I hear what you are saying about Shields, however, keep an eye on Luatua from the Blues, I'm thinking he has a great chance for the AB 6 jersey in the future.
Posted 03:29 27th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
Late kick off because it was too hot and humid last week !!!
It's because the Tahs V Rebels game is on prior, TV wins again. I'm not taking my 9 year old, too late finish for him. Pity as he'll miss a white (or Reds) wash!
Posted 20:22 26th February 2013
isthatrightref says...
Brisbane time is GMT + 10 hours so kick-off is 20:20 local
Posted 20:17 26th February 2013
Warrior7 says...
Matu'u is such a beast
Posted 18:27 26th February 2013
Isograford says...
Shame about Hammet playing Shields at 8, he seems a far better prospect for that All Blacks 6 jersey than Messam or Vito will ever be.
Well at least until Kaino returns.
Posted 17:56 26th February 2013
Haldir says...
Why such a late kick off? (although I'm not complaining as it means I get a lie in)
Posted 17:20 26th February 2013