Making an impact in their opening game of the season got harder for the Hurricanes after sitting out a first-round DHL Super Rugby Pacific bye and watching their opponents, Moana Pasifika, achieve a stunning first-up win over Fijian Drua.
The sides meet in Wellington on Friday, and Moana Pasifika's decision to give seven players debuts adds to the intrigue surrounding the game.
But the Hurricanes are also promoting three newcomers.
Japan lock and captain Warner Dearns will debut in a sabbatical season from his Japanese club. Loose forward Arese Poliko and utility forward Matolu Petaia will make their debuts from the bench.
Injury to Ruben Love has Brett Cameron starting at first five-eighths with halfback Ereatara Enari starting and All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard on the bench, along with centre Billy Proctor.
Co-captain Jordie Barrett is back after missing last season, and coach Clark Laidlaw said Barrett had returned with contributions from what he had learned with Leinster and the All Blacks last year, as well as an interest in what the Hurricanes had been doing in his absence.
Josh Moorby is also back at wing, and Laidlaw said the highest compliment he could pay him and Barrett was that it felt like both of them had never been away.
Moana Pasifika’s win over the Drua was probably the performance of the weekend, Laidlaw said.
“They kicked smart, the set piece was good and when they get the ball and get downhill on you with their power, they’re hard to stop. We were one and one last year, so we’re well aware of the threat they bring.”
Coming off the back of their outstanding win over the Drua in Lautoka, coach Tana Umaga will introduce former Brisbane Broncos player and wing Israel Leota, Japanese hooker Mamoru Harada, Southlanders lock Alefosio Aho,and midfield back Faletoi Peni, and emerging players fullback Simon Peter Toleafoa, prop Lolani Faleiva and loose forward Konrad Toleafoa.
The coaching staff decided to make the changes due to travel and heat in Fiji.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the depth within our group. If we want to go all the way to the end of this competition, we’re going to need everybody.”
The Blues, stung by the acknowledgement that a wrong call was made when Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i was awarded a try when diving over tacklers last weekend, are wary of their next rivals, the Force in Perth on Saturday.
Coach Vern Cotter said, “We know that going over there, we need to be at our best because New Zealand teams do struggle in Perth. It has been a common theme.
“If we are not locked in and ready to play against a team that starts very well, and they go for it, it will be very dangerous if they can score points. It’s been a big focus for us to become better than we were last week.”
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the side chosen deserved another opportunity against the Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday.
“It’s hard to change a winning team after beating last year’s champions.”
Another big effort will be required in performing against the Chiefs, last year’s beaten finalists.
“They’re going to bring a real physical edge. They’re another team that’s littered with seasoned All Blacks who gave us two lessons last year. So, we get an opportunity to try and improve on last week’s effort and try to put in a good performance against a really tough Chiefs side.
“We made a good step last week we’ve just got to keep on going. The players got some confidence out of the performance, but it’s a different beast this week.”
Jona Nareki will reach his half-century of appearances for the side, and Joseph said he is a player of importance for the Highlanders.
“He’s been littered with injuries but for the Highlanders he’s one of our best players and has been since he’s been here. Injuries have prevented him getting to that top condition that quality players need to be if they want to push for higher honours so I feel sorry for him in that respect.”
Also making his 50th appearance will be All Black wing Emoni Narawa, who will come off the bench for the Chiefs.
Narawa, fellow wing Leroy Carter and All Blacks flanker Simon Parker and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will also make their first appearances of the season.
Missing from the lineup will be halfback Cortez Ratima, who is on parental leave.
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said, “These local derbies are brutal. There is no inch given and it will go up another notch against the Highlanders who are coming off an equally tough win against the defending champions.”
The Crusaders, beaten in the first round, will face the Brumbies on Sunday in Christchurch.
Coach Rob Penney said they retained their inside back combination for continuity, adding that they wanted Leicester Fainga’anuku to be the athlete they know he can be in the midfield, especially when opportunities arise for him off the bench.
“He’s come back to New Zealand as a world-class player. There’s been a lot of discussion about his versatility, but we need to get him settled so he can gradually unleash his talents as his combination and confidence grow within the group.
“We need to find his perfect position and let him develop confidence in that position.”
With only a few games left at Orangetheory Stadium, Penney was keen to put in a good performance for home fans, but they would need to be at their best against the Brumbies, who had an impressive start in hot temperatures in Perth to beat the Force.
“They pulled them apart towards the back end of the game, so we’re going to have to be right on. They’re big, with a tough group of forwards and highly skilled. They’ve got some very athletic loose forwards, and their backs are dangerous from broken play. They’re a pretty complete side.
“The history between the two organisations goes deep and this will be no different. It’ll be a humdinger.”