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The Hurricanes fumbling Super Rugby campaign roared into life last weekend when they stunned the Crusaders in Christchurch. The next goal for the Hurricanes is to tame the Bulls at McLean Park in Napier.
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The Hurricanes campaign appears to have turned a corner following their upset win last week. Not only did they produce their best rugby of the season to date, but tonight they welcome back Victor Vito, Brad Shields and Cory Jane.
The All Black duo of Vito and Jane come straight into the starting line up at number 8 and at wing respectively, while Brad Shields returns on the replacements bench.
The return of Vito and Shields means that Blade Thomson drops down to the replacements bench while Ardie Savea drops out of the match day squad.
Midfield back Tim Bateman has been ruled out due to injury, so Alapati Leiua will start next to Captain Conrad Smith. Andre Taylor retains his place at fullback.
Bateman has a small fracture in his shoulder blade but does not need an operation and it is hoped he can return in a few weeks.
The Hurricanes should lose nothing with Leiua in the midfield. He scored 54 tries in 50 games for his club side Northern United which helped him earn Super Rugby selection in the first place.
The Hurricanes’ coach, Mark Hammett, has bracketed Jeffery Toomaga-Allen after he sustained a head knock against the Crusaders and he will be monitored before the match.
Should Toomaga-Allen fail his fitness test he will be replaced by John Schwalger who will start in his place and Schwalger’s place on the bench will be filled by Reggie Goodes.
The Bulls have made two changes to their team that held the defending champions the Chiefs to a dramatic 34-34 draw.
Flip Van der Merwe takes over from Victor Matfield, who will help coach on tour, while Jacques Engelbrecht comes in at number 8, with Dewald Potgieter moving to the side of the scrum in place of Jacques du Plessis, who moves to the bench.
Julian Savea (20) and Alapati Leiua (19) have beaten more defenders than anyone else in Super Rugby so far. No Bulls player features in the top 30.
The Hurricanes are the joint top try scorers in Super Rugby with 20 so far, and have scored more tries in the last quarter of matches than any other side.
The Bulls have the best lineout in the competition and lead 9-8 in head to head clashes between the two teams.
The Bulls have not lost to the Hurricanes since 2008 and in 2003 made history of sorts in Napier when they gained their first win overseas since the franchise took over from Northern Transvaal in 1998.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.