Jordie Barrett will once again play in the midfield when the Hurricanes travel to Rugby League Park to face the Crusaders at 9.35am on Saturday morning.
Barrett, who usually operates at fullback, impressed at outside centre in their Super Rugby quarterfinal clash against the Highlanders last weekend and it’s for that reason that they decided to keep Nehe Milner-Skudder at No.15 for the semifinal showdown.
Of Barrett playing in the No.13 jumper, assistant coach Chris Boyd says: “Personally I think he’s a better 15.
“But he likes the midfield and he did enough for me last week to suggest that was the right way for us to start.
“I’m sure it won’t be how we finish.”
The Crusaders, meanwhile, made only one change from the side that beat the Sharks 40-10, with All Blacks prop Joe Moody having recovered from injury to take up the loosehead position.
Of the all-New Zealand semi, coach Scott Robertson says: “This game is going to be huge, it doesn’t get any bigger than a New Zealand derby match in the knockout stages of Super Rugby.”
Hurricanes:
15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Gareth Evans, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith. Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Ardie Savea/Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen.
Crusaders:
15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody. Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.