Rugby: Benched Hore backed by coach

Andrew Hore. Photo / Getty Images

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett believes relegating captain Andrew Hore to the bench may help the hooker win a place in New Zealand's rugby World Cup squad.

The combative hooker, who has started every Super 15 match for the Hurricanes this season, will be given a breather for Friday's match against the Western Force with Dane Coles starting the match.

Hammett said the move was designed with Hore's All Blacks ambitions in mind and a desire to give Coles, who has been used as an impact player this season, some extended game time.

"It was time to give Colesy a run. He's been sitting on that bench for a long time," said Hammett.

The former All Blacks hooker said he had talked with Hore last July about managing his workload and while other All Blacks in the squad had spent time on the sidelines this year recovering from injuries, the 33-year-old had been an ever-present.

"He's a good old battler, he's been there week in week out. It's a good chance for him - we want to see his World Cup dream realised and he'll be back in there without a doubt," said Hammett.

"It's always difficult (being benched) especially when you've been the heart and soul in that position and you're an 80-minute man. I realise there's a frustration around that, but he'll be fine and he knows what we're doing is the best for the team and ultimately what's best for him."

Hammett, who is looking for his fourth win as Hurricanes coach, said the extended season had illustrated the need to rotate players in order to maximise their contribution on the field.

"This competition is going to get longer and players won't be able to play week in week out. We've already seen that this year, we've seen the attrition rate all around New Zealand so how we manage players in the future is critical."

The Hurricanes travel to the Manawatu with four changes to the side beaten 13-6 by the Highlanders on May 13.

Aside from the rotation of Hore, All Blacks Cory Jane and Conrad Smith both return from respective hamstring and nose injuries, while lock Jason Eaton drops out of the starting 15 with a back problem with Jeremy Thrush taking over.

No. 8 Victor Vito takes over the captaincy from Hore and said he would look to emulate the hooker's approach to leadership on the field.

"I'll try and lead by doing first. You can't really be criticising anyone's play when your own play is not up to scratch, so I need to brush up on my own game and cut out those mistakes."

Vito said he was honoured to take charge of the team from kick-off, the first time he has been named to captain the Hurricanes after taking charge on a handful of occasions this season when Hore had left the field.

"It's a pretty proud moment. I still fell like I'm earning my stripes, but to get called on to lead the team you can't hide away from it - you've really just got to take it with two hands and do the best you can."

Halfback Chris Eaton missed training on Wednesday with a hamstring twinge, but Hammett was optimistic the Magpies No.9 would take his place in the starting lineup, with All Black Piri Weepu confined to another appearance from the bench as he makes a progressive return from his badly broken leg.

Hammett said if Eaton failed to recover Weepu would start the match with teenager TJ Perenara set to slot into the reserves.

Hurricanes:
Team: Cory Jane, Andre Taylor, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Victor Vito (captain), Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles, John Schwalger. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Mark Reddish, Piri Weepu, Jayden Hayward, Julian Savea.

- NZPA