New faces for Hurricanes

Wellington - New Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has named a fresh-looking team for Friday's Vodacom Super Rugby season-opener against the Highlanders in Wellington. Kick-off is at 08:35.

According to the allblacks.com website, for the moment, Hammett has gone for fitness and form over experience, with four players making their Super Rugby debut.

Taranaki tighthead prop Michael Bent starts ahead of the vastly experienced Neemia Tialata, while flanks Mark Reddish and Jack Lam make up the loose forward trio, and 20-year-old Julian Savea will debut on the wing.

Savea and scrumhalf Tyson Keats are the only non-All Blacks in the Hurricanes intimidating backline.

Hammett said the Hurricanes newcomers had a great chance to stake an early claim for a permanent berth in the starting line-up.

"It's about winning spots, and when you've got this jersey on you work damn hard in it. This is the first group that gets this opportunity, so they need to take it."

Not too much could be read into Tialata's position in the reserves, with the All Blacks veteran likely to take the field not long after half-time on Friday, Hammett said.

Teams:

Hurricanes:

15 Cory Jane, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Mark Reddish, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger

Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Faifili Levave, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Andre Taylor

Highlanders:

15 Ben Smith, 14 James Paterson, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Siale Piutau