Community rugby at Waverley on Friday afternoon

The Farmlands Grassroots Game Day on Friday  promises to be a huge occasion for the Waverley and Wanganui communities with no less than 14 All Blacks from the 2016 end of year tour squad set to take the field across the Hurricanes and Crusaders squads.

The match kicks off at 5.00pm, has sold out with 4,500 fans set to stream through the gates at the Border Rugby Club.

The Hurricanes starting side will also provide an opportunity for Hurricanes fans to see new recruit Ben Lam in action with the former New Zealand Sevens star starting on the right wing.

World Rugby's 2016 Player of the Year Beauden Barrett will team up with halfback Chris Smylie, who has re-joined the Hurricanes as injury cover, while TJ Perenara and Maori All Black Otere Black will form the second half halves pairing.

Jordie Barrett will make way for Nehe Milner-Skudder at the break, while Lam will sub off for Cory Jane and Ardie Savea for Callum Gibbins.

Sam Whitelock will kick off his 2017 Captaincy of the Crusaders, and he will be assisted by his two vice-captains for the season, Matt Todd and Ryan Crotty.

The teams are:

Hurricanes first/second half: 15 Jordie Barrett/Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Ben Lam/Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso/Matt Proctor, 12 Pita Ahki/Ngani Laumape, 11 Wes Goosen/Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett/Otere Black, 9 Chris Symlie/TJ Perenara, 8 Toa Halafihi/Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea/Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields/Reed Prinsep, 5 Mark Abbott/Michael Fatialofa, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere/James Blackwell, 3 Mike Kainga/Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 James O'Reilly/Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Loni Uhila/Chris Eves. Reserves: Ben May, Hugh Renton, Jonah Lowe.
 
Crusaders: 1. Tim Perry, 2. Ben Funnell, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Sam Whitelock (c), 6. Pete Samu, 7. Matt Todd (vc), 8. Whetu Douglas, 9. Ere Enari, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty (vc), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Seta Tamanivalu, 15. Israel Dagg RESERVES David Havili, Sean Wainui, Manasa Mataele, Marty McKenzie, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Luke Romano, Mitchell Dunshea, Jed Brown, Jordan Taufua, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Sione Fifita, Quinten Strange

Summaries of the previous five Hurricanes home pre-season matches:

2016: Hurricanes 12 v Blues 40 at Eketahuna
 
The less that is sad about this match in Eketahuna the better. The Hurricanes suffered a drubbing, despite sharing honours in the first-half.  The Hurricanes did go on to win the title unlike the Blues who disappointed again finishing last of the New Zealand teams for the third straight year.
 
Blues 40 (James Parsons, Steven Luatua, Nic Mayhew, Melani Nanai, Charlie Faumuina, Lolagi Visinia tries; Ihaia West con, Matt McGahan 4 con) Hurricanes 12 (Leni Apisai, Julian Savea tries; Beauden Barrett). HT: 7-7. Eketahuna

2015: Hurricanes 41 v Crusaders: 31 at Eketahuna
 
Played in bright, clear conditions over four quarters the Hurricanes powered ahead early before the Crusaders rallied. The Hurricanes never lost the lead and were worthy winners. The full scoring was:
 
Jason Woodward, Brad Shields, Geoff Cridge, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Matt Proctor tries; Jason Woodward 4 conversions; Otere Black penalty) Crusaders 31 (Matt Todd, Johnny McNicholl, David Havilli, Robbie Fruean 2 tries; Richie Mo’unga conversion; Dan Carter 2 conversions)
 
2014: Hurricanes 38 v Blues 35 at Masterton

Masterton’s Memorial Park was packed to the rafters on a hot day. A try by lock James Broadhurst late in the fourth quarter - that was converted by Super Rugby debutant Marty Banks - sealed the game for the hosts.

After conceding the game’s first three tries, the visiting Blues, featuring rugby league recruit Benji Marshall, had come roaring back into the match to score 35 unanswered points and lead 35-19 before being overtaken late.
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2013: Hurricanes 21 – Chiefs 25 at Mangatainoka

A free-flowing match saw seven tries scored. The Hurricanes made a poor start conceding the first three tries. The Hurricanes rallied with three tries, one by All Black wing Julian Savea and two from vigorous pick and drives.

Chiefs and Fijian international winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma was the star of the match. He scored two tries and delivered the last pass for the match-winner.?

The Chiefs went onto defend their 2012 Super Rugby title. The Hurricanes missed the playoffs agai

2012: Hurricanes 8 v Crusaders 19 at Mangatainoka

The inaugural Great Big Tui Cup was at stake and was taken out by the Crusaders.

The Crusaders outscored the Hurricanes three tries to one. In a tight match, the Crusaders led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter, 12-3 at halftime and 19-3 at the end of the third quarter.?

Starting Hurricanes first five-eighth Beauden Barrett, who had earlier kicked the game’s first points with a penalty, closed the deficit up by scoring the final try of the afternoon near the end. Patrick Osbourne, Ross Kennedy (a former Hurricane) and Tyler Bleyendaal scored the Crusaders tries.