Hurricanes v Reds preview

The Hurricanes and Reds are set to meet in Brisbane on Friday, 1 March 2013, in Round 3 of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament.

The Reds will have some confidence coming off of a win against the Waratahs in Round 2, while the Hurricanes will be looking to set their campaign on the right track following a loss to the Blues.

The Reds are still missing star scrumhalf Will Genia, but Ben Lucas has slotted into the number 9 position well and provided the backline with quick ball in the opening rounds.

Aidan Toua is moved into the starting lineup at fullback, while Mike Harris finds himself on the bench.

Radike Samo also mikes his return, and will be a strong weapon to use off the bench.

The Hurricanes will look to their loose forward trio of Vito, Lowe and Shields to hold off their counterparts in the Reds side, who have all impressed so far.

The Hurricanes strength lies in their finishers, and Andre Taylor and Julian Savea will need to be on target if they’re to beat the 19 tries that the two racked-up in 2012.

Kick-off is on Friday, 1 March 2013, at 12:20 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Reds team:

1. Greg Holmes 2. Saia Faingaa 3. James Slipper (c) 4. Rob Simmons 5. Ed O’Donoghue 6. Eddie Quirk 7. Liam Gill 8. Jake Schatz 9. Ben Lucas 10. Quade Cooper 11. Digby Ioane 12. Ben Tapuai (vc) 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia 14. Dom Shipperley 15. Aidan Toua
Replacements: 16. James Hanson 17. Albert Anae 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison 19. Radike Samo 20. Nick Frisby 21. Mike Harris 22. Luke Morahan

Hurricanes team:

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.