Rugby: Thrush earns 100th Super cap against original foes

Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Jeremy Thrush began his Super Rugby career against the Waratahs in Sydney in 2008 and his 100th cap will come against the same side in his home town.

Thrush will turn 30 on Sunday and will bring up his century tomorrow when the unbeaten, league-leading Hurricanes host the 10th-placed Waratahs at Westpac Stadium.

The under-19 world player of the year in 2004, Thrush made his debut for Wellington in 2006 before graduating to the Hurricanes two years later.

The 11-test All Black said his debut against the Waratahs was one of the highlights of his time with the Hurricanes and he was pleased to be able to remain a one-franchise player.

"I guess you've got to be a bit lucky to do that and I just feel pretty lucky to be able to do it for the Hurricanes," Thrush said of the milestone.

A former Hutt Valley High School student, Thrush will break his lengthy association with the Wellington region when he joins English club Gloucester after this year's World Cup.

There had been opportunities to leave previously and Thrush said he did contemplate it, particularly during some turbulent times at the franchise, but he felt a sense of loyalty to the jersey.

"I wanted to make sure this team got back to where I think it should have been when I first got there and how special it was."

The Hurricanes made their last trip to the Super Rugby playoffs in 2009 and a glut of mid-table finishes have followed.

A lot has changed during Thrush's time in the capital and he said one of the biggest things was around training, with player workouts becoming personalised.

"We are a lot smarter about the way we do it."

Alongside skipper Conrad Smith, Thrush is one of the longest-serving Hurricanes but the lock said he wouldn't take the opportunity to lead the team out on to Westpac Stadium tomorrow in his 100th game.

"Conrad's the captain. I'll just get in behind him and follow him out there," Thrush said. "I think I'll just try to keep it as normal as possible."

A host of family and friends will be at the Cake Tin tomorrow and Thrush said it was nice to mark the milestone on his home track.

It almost didn't work out that way after a calf injury took him out of action at the start of the season but the cards have fallen his way.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made a handful of changes in his forward pack for tomorrow's game and he said it was nice for Thrush to reach his century.

"Thrushy's one of our favourites and it's great for him to achieve that milestone," Boyd said.

Openside flanker Ardie Savea has returned from a finger injury to pull on the No 7 jersey, which forces Callum Gibbins to the blindside with Brad Shields at No 8.

The unavailability of Victor Vito (calf) and Blade Thomson (concussion) forced the unconventional loose trio to be selected.

"I just think Callum's played particularly well and deserves another crack with Ardie coming back in," Boyd said. "So it definitely gives us another dynamic but certainly both of those guys are high-workrate, high-impact players."

Hooker Dane Coles (elbow) will be out until next month.