Goosen to start for Hurricanes

From Nairnville Park to Westpac Stadium - Old Boys University's Wes Goosen will be starting for the Hurricanes on Saturday night instead for OBU against Tawa earlier in the day. 

Goosen has been named to make his Investec Super Rugby debut against the Reds in a Hurricanes team missing five players who have been stood down for breaching team protocols.

Goosen, 20, takes over on the left wing from Julian Savea in one of five changes to the team that ran out against the Sharks in Durban.

Jason Woodward comes into the starting fifteen on the right wing for Cory Jane, Matt Proctor returns at centre, Blade Thomson replaces Victor Vito at No 8 and Callum Gibbins takes over at openside from Ardie Savea.

Julian Savea, Jane, Vito, Ardie Savea, and reserve prop Chris Eves, were not considered for selection against the Reds after breaking the team’s self-imposed curfew.

The five players were late back to the team hotel on the Tuesday night before the side played the Sharks and have been stood down for one match.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said the players had made a poor decision and the matter had been dealt with internally.

“Though some people may not see staying out late as being particularly serious, the team set their standards very high this year and everyone bought into that at the start of the season.

“We have a great bunch of guys in the squad and this was an isolated incident, but there are certain lines in the sand and when those lines are crossed there are consequences.

“The players involved know they made a mistake and I’m pretty confident they will be motivated to make up for that when they become available for selection again next week.”

Boyd said he had full confidence in the team named to play the Reds.

“We are looking forward to seeing Wes Goosen make his Hurricanes debut. He’s been knocking on the door since the preseason and now he gets his chance. That’s what Super Rugby is all about.”

South African-born Goosen, a former New Zealand secondary schools representative out of Wellington College, has impressed for the Wellington Lions over the past two seasons both on the wing and at centre.

He will play outside Proctor, who was a late withdrawal due to illness in Durban where he was replaced in the starting team against the Sharks by Ngani Laumape. Laumape drops back to the reserves against the Reds where there is a further three changes.

Loni Uhila takes Eves spot as the reserve loose head prop, while Hawke’s Bay loose forward Tony Lamborn comes into the 23 along with Taranaki’s Te Toirora Tahuriorangi, who replaces Jamison Gibson-Park as the reserve halfback.

Hurricanes team to play the Reds at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, May 14:

15 James Marshall
14 Jason Woodward
13 Matt Proctor
12 Vince Aso
11 Wes Goosen
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (vc)
8 Blade Thomson
7 Callum Gibbins
6 Brad Shields
5 Michael Fatialofa
4 Vaea Fifita
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
2 Dane Coles (c)
1 Reggie Goodes

Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Lonu Uhila, Ben May, Mark Abbott, Tony Lamborn, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Ngani Laumape, Willis Halaholo.