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The first game of Round 4 sees the Hurricanes welcome the Waratahs to Wellington. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:05pm (AEDT).
Both teams are coming off tough one-score losses to the Blues and Rebels respectively from last week. After the first three rounds, the Hurricanes are sitting in joint 3rd with the Blues on 10 points. On the flip side, the Waratahs are 7th with 7 points, but have managed to get a bonus point in all their three games.
The home side has only made three changes from the team that took on the Blues last week; Ardie Savea returns to captain the Hurricanes after his one-game suspension due to the throat-slitting gesture from the Rebels game in Round 2.
After a strong start to the season off the bench, Asafo Aumua replaces Dane Coles in the starting line-up, while 23-year-old Kini Naholo makes his Hurricanes debut on the left wing.
The Waratahs have major upheaval in the starting 15, with coach Darren Coleman making six changes, including Mahe Vailanu taking over hooking duties from Dave Porecki. The Waratahs second row is completely new, as Wallaby Ned Hanigan partners Taleni Seu, replacing Hugh Sinclair and Jed Holloway. Charlie Gamble takes the number 6 jersey.
The back line has a slight re-jigging with veteran winger Nemani Nadolo taking over the left wing. This, in turn, has led to Tane Edmed moving to the bench as the Tahs experiment with Ben Donaldson at 10. The 18-year-old sensation Max Jorgensen will get his first start at fullback, having scored three tries in the competition so far.
With southerly winds and potential for rain throughout the day, conditions could be more challenging than some of the other rounds in the competition so far.
Game information
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Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT) Streaming:Stan Sport Betting: Hurricanes $1.11, Waratahs $6.25 – odds via PlayUp
Waratahs (1-15): Tom Lambert, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ned Hanigan, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, Nemani Nadolo, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Sateki Latu, Daniel Botha, Lachlan Swinton, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Tane Edmed, Mosese Tuipulotu.
