Cheetahs v Hurricanes
Bloemfontein, 6.10am tomorrow
Aaron Cruden will make his long-awaited starting debut for the Hurricanes against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein tomorrow morning.
Despite the depleted nature of their backline, coach Colin Cooper has had no qualms promoting the 21-year-old to the No 10 jersey in place of Willie Ripia, who has served the team
solidly through three straight wins to open their campaign.
Cruden is one of four changes to the starting XV from the side who beat the Lions at home last Saturday and one of three very fresh faces introduced to the backline. Andre Taylor will also make his first start at this level, on the right wing, while Alapati Leiua will make his Super 14 debut at centre. The changes have been forced on Cooper by injuries to Conrad Smith (thumb) and Tamati Ellison (shoulder) at centre and wing respectively.
In one change to the forwards, the in-form Michael Paterson moves from blindside flanker to lock to fill the slot vacated by Jason Eaton who injured his knee against the Lions and will miss the rest of the Super 14. Victor Vito returns to wear the No 6 jersey.
On the reserve bench, lock Jeremy Thrush and prop Anthony Perenise join the team for the first time this year. Thrush returns from a shoulder operation he underwent last year and Perenise from a calf injury. Highlanders wider training squad member Brett Mather has been drafted into the team as outside back cover.
However, most eyes will be on Cruden, the former national age group star from Palmerston North who has run hot and cold in three appearances off the reserve bench this season. His stints have lasted 29, 17 and 34 minutes respectively. His first touch against the Blues in round one resulted in a thumping welcome from midfielder Benson Stanley but Cruden has gone on to show some neat attacking moments, allied with some shoddy ball retention.
Despite limited experience of rugby in South Africa and at altitude, Cooper has trusted him to step up against a Cheetahs side boasting two quality Springboks flankers in Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith.
Cheetahs changes include the introduction of South African under-20 captain Robert Ebersohn at centre.
Following wins over the Blues, Force and Lions in the first three weeks, the Hurricanes can become the first team from their franchise to win the opening four matches of a Super rugby campaign. The closest they came was in 2006, when they won their first three but fell at the fourth hurdle - against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. That match was won 27-25 by the hosts in a major boilover.
CHEETAHS v HURRICANES
Cheetahs
Hennie Daniller
Lionel Mapoe
Robert Ebersohn
Meyer Bosman
Jongi Nokwe
Naas Olivier
Sarel Pretorius
Frans Viljoen
Juan Smith (c)
Heinrich Brussow
Waltie Vermeulen
Nico Breedt
WP Nel
Adriaan Strauss
Wian du Preez
Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, David de Villiers, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Riaan Viljoen, Danwel Demas.
Hurricanes
Cory Jane
Andre Taylor
Alapati Leiua
Ma'a Nonu
David Smith
Aaron Cruden
Piri Weepu
Rodney So'oialo
Karl Lowe
Victor Vito
Michael Paterson
Bryn Evans
Neemia Tialata
Andrew Hore
John Schwalger
Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Jeremy Thrush, Scott Waldrom, Tyson Keats, Willie Ripia, Brett Mather.
- NZPA