Rugby: Hurricanes wary of unknown Lions

Hurricanes Jeremy Thrush. Photo / Ross Setford.

The Hurricanes are heading in to the unknown in their Super Rugby opener against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday morning.

The Lions are perennial Super Rugby battlers and Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith said their scouting reports were lean on the Johan Ackermann-coached Lions who finished 12th last season.

"It has been a bit difficult," Smith said. "We've only had a bit of Currie Cup stuff and they played a couple of pre-season games but even that was internal and there wasn't a lot of good video footage. So we are going in a little bit blind but the first game of the season's always a little bit like that."

The Lions might also feel the same way about the Hurricanes given most of their All Blacks, including Smith, were not sighted in their pre-season build-up but will start this weekend.

"For myself it's not something I'm too worried about. I feel like I've played enough rugby to not require a lot of pre-season," Smith said.
"There will be no excuses in that regard."

The 85-test veteran will start at Ellis Park alongside fellow internationals Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles who were all untested in pre-season. Cory Jane and TJ Perenara, who will also start this weekend, played last Friday's warm-up game against the Blues.

No 8 Victor Vito has only been included on the bench for the Hurricanes given his calf troubles, which gives Blade Thomson an opportunity at the back of the scrum.

Lock Jeremy Thrush has been ruled out for up to six weeks after he tweaked a calf at training this week and the All Black has flown home. Hawke's Bay's Geoffrey Cridge has joined the team in South Africa but wasn't considered for selection this weekend. Mark Abbott will start against the Lions instead of Thrush.

"We've just got to get on and go without him," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said in regards to losing Thrush. "So it's disappointing and it's disappointing for Thrushy."

Fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder wasn't available for this week's game due to a knee complaint, which could keep him out for two or three weeks. Jason Woodward will wear the No 15 jersey against the Lions.

"I'm really excited, particularly about running out in this Hurricanes jersey this weekend," Woodward said.

Second-five Ma'a Nonu stayed in New Zealand as he awaited the birth of his third child and was expected to join the Hurricanes later this week. When he arrives in South Africa ahead of next week's game against the Bulls, one player will need to drop out of the squad and that could be Milner-Skudder, depending on his fitness.

Boyd and his assistant John Plumtree have coached in South Africa previously during their time with the Sharks, which could help with some knowledge of the Lions and how they might play this weekend.

Despite having spent the week in Johannesburg preparing for the game, Boyd said it was hard to gauge the interest in Super Rugby from the locals.

"Johannesburg is such a massive city, you wouldn't know what's going on from one side to the other."

Hurricanes side to play Lions: Jason Woodward, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Rey Lee-Lo, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Mark Abbott, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves, Callum Gibbins, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, James Marshall, Matt Proctor

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