Julian Savea returns for Hurricanes against Blues

Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has made three changes to the starting line up for the upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa game against Blues to be played in Auckland on Saturday.

Julian Savea returns at right wing with Wes Goosen dropping to the bench and will partner with Salesi Rayasi in the left. Billy Proctor and Ngani Laumape will continue to be part of the midfield while Orbyn Leger and Luke Campbell form halfback partnership.

The front row sees a change with Fraser Armstrong coming in at loosehead in the place of Xavier Numia while James Blackwell also returns to the starting XV in the second row partnering with Scott Scrafton.

“We have felt all the way through we have been doing a lot of positive things, it was just about taking out a few of the things that were costing us picking up points and wins,” said Holland.

“We are excited about the challenge of heading to Eden Park in search of our second win but we also know we’ll have to keep making improvements to our overall game.”

Hurricanes are positioned fourth in the Super Rugby Aotearoa table with a solitary win from four games.

Hurricanes XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Orbyn Leger, 9 Luke Campbell, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Fraser Armstrong.

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23 Wes Goosen.