Rugby: Reds star Goromaru to be given chance against Hurricanes

Ayumu Goromaru takes a shot at goal against the Waratahs in round one of this seasons Super Rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Japan's cult hero Ayumu Goromaru is to be given the chance to find his goalkicking mojo ahead of Jake McIntyre in the Reds' plan to upset the Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Reds co-coach Nick Stiles said the import's first starting assignment at fullback in two months, in Wellington, would be the first true judgment of his game in Super Rugby.

"Goro hopped off a plane to join 40 players whose names he didn't know, but now he's had good time with the squad, he knows the moves and he's picked up his English," Stiles said.

"He's got the best chance to show his game and part of that is as a very good kicker of the ball. I'd love to see him kick goals from 45-50m and kick one to win the game ... Japan would go crazy and we'd win away."

Goromaru is a different package to injured Karmichael Hunt (groin).

The mystery is whether he can do enough to retain his spot for Saturday week's clash against Japan's Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium when he could add 3000 fans to the gate.
Hurricanes stars Julian and Ardie Savea, Victor Vito and Cory Jane may have been dumped yesterday for a curfew breach but bookies UBET have still installed the battling Reds as 13-point underdogs.

Reserve prop Chris Eves was the fifth player banned for last Tuesday's late night in Durban, one of the most tempting towns in Super Rugby.

Stiles offered a dead bat when offering no insight into the level of interest the Reds might be showing in out-of-favour Souths playmaker Luke Keary.

"We don't talk about contract negotiations. That's up to you (in the media)," Stiles said.