Brothers Beauden and Jordie Barrett will take the field together for the Hurricanes for the first time in tomorrow night's Super Rugby pre-season trial against the Crusaders in Waverley.
Beauden Barrett and Jordie Barrett at the 2016 NZ rugby awards. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The two Taranaki-born siblings will be in familiar territory in the small South Taranaki town with Beauden at first five and Jordie at fullback during the first half of the Hurricanes final pre-season hitout.
The Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has selected four of his five 2016 All Blacks with Ardie Savea to start at openside, while halfback TJ Perenara and wing Julian Savea will enter the game in the second half.
"It's been great to have our All Blacks in camp with us for the past few weeks and I know they are all looking forward to getting back on the field and gearing up for the start of Super Rugby," Boyd said.
"This is our last chance to have a look at our combinations before the season kicks off against the Sunwolves in Tokyo next Saturday, so it's an important exercise."
One All Black not suiting up this week is Hurricanes captain Dane Coles who will sit the match as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury.
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 2015 World Cup winning All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder at the break, while Lam will sub off for Cory Jane and Ardie Savea for Callum Gibbins.
The match, which kicks off at 5pm, has sold out with 4500 fans from the Whanganui and South Taranaki regions showing their support.
The Hurricanes will be holding an open training run at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui late this afternoon.
-RNZ
