Sharks unchanged for Hurricanes clash

Cape Town - Sharks coach Robert du Preez has named an unchanged team for their Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Napier on Friday (09:35 SA time).

The Sharks started their Australasian tour with two disappointing losses to the Brumbies (24-17, Canberra) and Rebels (46-14, Melbourne), before claiming a 63-40 win over the Blues in Auckland last weekend.

There were no major injury concerns which enabled Du Preez to pick the same 23-man line-up for the Sharks’ final tour game.

“There have been a couple of niggles but nothing serious and everyone was available for selection,” Du Preez told the Sharks’official website on Wednesday.

The Sharks will go into Friday’s match with confidence but know the ‘Canes will provide a sterner test.

“After the disappointments of the first two weeks on tour, the boys were hurt, but they were desperate to get a first win on tour,” Du Preez added.

“If there had been a lack of effort previously I would have been really worried, but that wasn’t the issue. This time around the boys brought the effort and the accuracy, so it was much better and I was really pleased with that performance.

“Everyone was desperate to put in a good performance, and that aim was achieved. Every player had a part to play, including the bench players when they came on.”

Teams:

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves

Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Beast Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk