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Sunwolves
23
Match Complete
Hurricanes
29
| 68 |  | F. Smith | ||
| 67 |  | W. Goosen | ||
| 59 | | F. Smith | ||
| 58 | | C. Tiatia | ||
| 48 | | B. Lam | ||
| 41 |  | F. Smith | ||
| H. Parker | | 29 | ||
| S. Masirewa | | 27 | ||
| H. Parker | | 26 | ||
| H. Parker | | 21 | ||
| 15 | | F. Smith | ||
| 14 | | T. Perenara | ||
| H. Parker | | 12 | ||
| H. Parker | | 7 | ||
| S. Masirewa | | 5 |
| 2 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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Desperate to rewrite their poor history vs the Hurricanes, the Sunwolves will gear up for an exciting Friday night clash in Tokyo. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 8pm AEST.
The two teams have only played twice, but the Hurricanes have dominated the Sunwolves in their short history; a 83-17 win in the 2017 season opener, before a 43-15 victory last year.
Both teams are coming off the bye, with the Canes in a favourable ladder spot. They hold fourth place, the last hosting position for a quarter-final, however they trail the ladder-leading Crusaders by 11 points.
With a win tonight, they could jump into second place, provided the Rebels lose, with the second-placed Bulls on a bye.
A loss could cost them however: should the Sharks and Stormers win at home, preferably with a bonus point, and the Blues win in Dunedin, they’d fall to seventh.
This year, the Wellington locals have only lost to the Crusaders, albeit twice, while they took a draw and five wins from their other six matches.
The same can’t be said for the hosts: they’d need to pick up the bonus point in an already unlikely win, and if the Highlanders, Reds and Brumbies were all to lose by eight or more, they’ll jump to 12th.
With two victories from eight games, it’s been another disappointing season from Japan, but with three of those losses by under nine points, they’ve not been far off.
In team selections: regular backrower Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco will wear 12 for the hosts, in a radical choice.
The visitors will field an under-strength lineup, as Dane Coles’ calf strain keeps him out of action, while Ardie Savea, Beauden and Jordie Barrett won’t tour.
That tasks Fletcher Smith with the job of playing flyhalf, likely for the full match.
Given the Hurricanes’ history, it’s really hard to see them be beaten in Tokyo. Canes to win by 15.
Remember to join The Roar for live scores and the blog from 8pm AEST.
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Time: 8pm AEST.
Odds: Hurricanes $1.15, Sunwolves $5.50.
Referee: Angus Gardner.
Sunwolves
1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Nathan Vella, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 4. Mark Abbott, 5. Luke Thompson, 6. Ben Gunter, 7. Dan Pryor, 8. Hendrik Tui, 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Hayden Parker, 11. Semisi Masirewa, 12. Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 13. Josh Timu, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 15. Ryohei Yamanaka.
Bench: 16. Atsushi Sakate, 17. Masataka Mikami, 18. Takuma Asahara, 19. Tom Rowe, 20. Shuhei Matsuhashi, 21. Fumiaki Tanaka, 22. Jason Emery, 23. Jamie Henry.
Hurricanes
1. Fraser Armstrong, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Ben May, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Liam Mitchell, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 10. Fletcher Smith, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Matt Proctor, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Chase Tiatia.
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Sam Henwood, 21. Richard Judd, 22. James Marshall, 23. Billy Proctor.
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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.