Herring set to play at Arena Manawatu

RUGBY: here's a piece missing in Hurricane loose forward Ben Herring's experience.
He's never played on the Palmerston North Showgrounds ? or Arena Manawatu as it's now known.
But there will be many shocked rugby watchers if he doesn't return to the Hurricanes side for Friday night's Super 12 match with the Stormers after being rested for the loss to the Bulls last Saturday.
Herring's ability on the ground and in link play will be necessary against the Stormers' loose forward trio of International Rugby Board player of the year Schalk Burger, Luke Watson and Joe van Niekirk.
Those three haven't really stood out as expected so far, simply because the team as a whole hasn't performed like it should.
But as the Bulls finally got their act together to give the Hurricanes their first defeat in Wellington on Saturday, the home side has to be very careful against a side which has generally a much better record against New Zealand sides than the Bulls.
Herring, after a satisfactory training session in Wellington yesterday, says the Hurricanes are trying to put that poor performance behind them, and improve a few important areas, especially the ruck area where the likes of Burger and Watson will be a nuisance.
"Training was good and pretty intense. We're trying not to read too much into that game against the Bulls, because they played it pretty well and they were a big side.
"But it's different this week ? and we're trying to tidy up the rucks in particular.
"We're trying to quicken up the ball a bit ? slow ball's no good for anyone, and we want to perfect that area of our game. And hopefully that will work against these guys."
Looking back at last Saturday's defeat by the Bulls, Herring says the suggestion of jet-lag doesn't rate as an excuse.
"We don't put it down to that at all."
Herring has watched the play of the Stormers loose forwards and he is impressed.
"All three of them I rate pretty highly. I've never played against Burger, but I've watched him and he's playing particularly well."
Overall the Hurricanes are trying to put the Bulls effort behind them.
"We want to keep as positive as we can and try to continue our nice run, and keep up the confidence."
Several Hurricanes including key loose man Rodney So'oialo (ankle strain), sat out training yesterday. The Hurricanes team will be named today in Wellington.