Hurricanes coach John Plumtree believes they can beat the Stormers without three of their key internationals in the team.
The former Sharks boss opted to rest All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape, scrumhalf TJ Perenara and hooker Dane Coles for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the visiting Capetonians at Westpac Stadium at 8.35am.
Explaining his decision, Plumtree tells Stuff NZ: “We’ve got some big games coming up and a tour to South Africa, so we’ve rested these three now.”
CHANGES: John Plumtree. Photo: Martin Hunter
The Stormers can easily see this as a smack in the face and should use it as fuel to get their tour of Australasia off on a high note.
Instead of Laumape, who has scored five tries this season, playing in midfield, Jordie Barrett will play in his third position of the year.
BREAK: Dane Coles won't play against Stormers. Photo: Marty Melville
Barrett, who's played wing and fullback for the Canes in 2019, will play next to his brother, flyhalf Beauden.
Of Barrett’s move, Plumtree says: “We certainly had no plans to play him in midfield, but with our injuries to Vince Aso, Jonah Lowe, Peter Umaga-Jensen... it’s a decision we’ve had to make.”
TAKE IT EASY: All Black TJ Perenara will not play. Photo: Supplied
Replacing the exciting Perenara at scrumhalf is unknown Richard Judd.
Coles, meanwhile, has been replaced in the middle of the front row by Durban-born Ricky Riccitelli.
While the backline duels between the Stormers’ Damian de Allende and Laumape and scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Perenara would have been exciting, the Stormers now have a chance to prove that they mean business on tour.