Super Rugby

Marshall starts for Hurricanes against the Sharks

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The Hurricanes have named their Super Rugby team to play the Sharks in Durban and made one change to the side that beat the Lions in Johannesburg.

The only change to the team that played in the Hurricanes last outing is the return of James Marshall who starts at fullback.

Marshall missed the last three Hurricanes matches due to concussion but made a successful return to Super Rugby via the bench last week.

The 27-year-old utility back had been the Hurricanes preferred No 15 against the Highlanders, Blues, Force and Kings before Jason Woodward took over at fullback against the Jaguares, Rebels, Chiefs and Lions.

Against the Sharks, Woodward will be part of a reshuffled reserves bench featuring the return of prop Ben May, lock Mark Abbott and midfielder Ngani Laumape.

May, who had been resting a sore neck, comes into the squad for Loni Uhila, Abbott replaces loose forward Callum Gibbins, while Laumape provides midfield cover in place of Willis Halaholo.

The midfield of Vince Aso and Matt Proctor is retained for the fourth week in a row and locks Michael Fatialofa and Vaea Fifita start together in an unchanged forward pack.

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said there continued to be healthy competition for places throughout the squad.

“We are in a good spot in terms of having a fully fit squad to choose from and there are a number of players putting real pressure on for starting spots,” Boyd said. “That makes it tough each week to select the team, but that’s exactly what we want at this stage of the season.”

The Sharks presented an incredibly tough end to the team’s two-match South African tour.

“It’s really important that we maintain the level of performance we produced against the Lions because if we don’t I know we will be in for a tough afternoon in Durban.

“The Sharks are extremely tough at home and they are a side that can hurt you up front or out wide. They present a massive challenge.”

Boyd would know having been part of the Sharks coaching staff along with Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree from 2006 to 2008.

Hurricanes

15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (vc), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Reggie Goodes

Replacements : Motu Matu’u, Chris Eves, Ben May, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward.

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