 Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton is in a race against time to be fit for his team's Super 14 semi-final showdown with the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday. It will be the Hurricanes' first-ever home semi-final.
Eaton has been bracketed with Luke Andrews and will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness, as he struggles to overcome an ankle injury.
In a rematch of the Hurricanes'19-14 win over the Waratahs last Saturday, the winner will qualify for the inaugural Super 14 final.
The Crusaders host the Bulls in Christchurch on Saturday in the other semi-final.
There are two confirmed changes in the Hurricanes side for this return encounter.
David Holwell's infected leg has fully recovered and he replaces Jimmy Goppreth at first five-eighth, while lock Paul Tito returns from a two-week layoff with an ankle injury.
Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga is the longest serving member of the Hurricanes and has been involved in all four previous Hurricanes semi-finals. He says the team is excited about playing in this historic first semi-final in Wellington.
"It's great for us, there's a lot of enthusiasm about the opportunity we have, and being in front of our home crowd. We're looking forward to it, we're up to the challenge."
Flanker Jerry Collins, whose magical passing skills helped create the first two tries against the Waratahs last week says the Hurricanes are fully focused on achieving a repeat victory against the Waratahs.
"We're under no illusions that out performance has got to lift in order to win this game. New South Wales have got a lot of firepower and a lot of qualities in their team, and a lot of guys have been doing it for a long time.
"It's all about execution and taking the opportunities when they come, because you don't get any second chances," Collins said.
Hurricanes right wing Lome Fa'atau will be playing in his fourth consecutive Super Rugby semi-final, after playing for the Hurricanes in 2003 and 2005 and for the Chiefs in 2004.
Hurricanes: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Shannon Paku, 10 David Holwell, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo (captain), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton/Luke Andrews, 4 Paul Tito, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Reserves:
16 Luke Mahoney, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Luke Andrews/Ross Kennedy, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Jimmy Gopperth, 22 Tamati Ellison
Kick-off:
19.35 (07.35 GMT) |
