By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Wellington Hurricanes rookie Peter Lakai will have a chance to deliver on the hype when he steps into Ardie Savea’s shoes for the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Auckland Blues on Saturday.
The 20-year-old loose forward replaces captain Savea at number eight while he serves a one-week ban for making a throat-slitting gesture at a Melbourne Rebels opponent last week.
Lakai earned rave reviews in New Zealand’s provincial championship last season as he helped Wellington secure a first title in 21 years, with Hurricanes coach Jason Holland branding him “a special kid.”
Holland’s assistant coach Chris Gibbes did his best to hose down expectations on Thursday, however, as the Hurricanes look to continue their perfect start after wins against the Rebels and the Queensland Reds.
“He’s come in and it’s a whole different level,” Gibbes told New Zealand media.
“He’s still finding his way, but you’ve seen the class of the player … and it’s just going to take a bit more time for him to establish himself as the player we know.”
Last year’s runners-up, the Blues, are eager to rebound after Australian heavyweights ACT Brumbies burst their bubble in the Melbourne heat last week.
The Blues were beaten by a point by the Hurricanes in the opening round last season and then went on to win their next 15 matches.
“There’s certainly no panic. We just want to see improvement in a few areas this weekend,” said Blues coach Leon MacDonald.
The Brumbies and Waikato Chiefs will also look to remain undefeated when they return to home bases to take on Queensland and the Otago Highlanders respectively.
The Brumbies have lost captain Allan Alaalatoa for Saturday’s match at Canberra Stadium while he goes through concussion protocols, opening the door for former Rebel Rhys Van Nek to have his first start.
“It’s a dream come true,” the 23-year-old prop Van Nek said of his promotion.
“It’s pretty big shoes to fill.”
Canterbury Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who extended his All Blacks contract this week, will play his 100th game for the reigning champions when they meet Fijian Drua in the steamy sugar town of Lautoka on Saturday.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has shaken up the side, resting All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and front row forwards Joe Moody and Codie Taylor.
England international Willi Heinz and Fergus Burke will be the starting halfbacks against the Drua, who host their first match of the season in Fiji.
The winless Rebels host the New South Wales Waratahs in Melbourne on Friday after the Chiefs kick off the round in Hamilton.
The Kevin Foote-coached Rebels, who fell just short against the Hurricanes last week, will look to copy the Brumbies’ blueprint after the Canberra side stifled the Waratahs’ attack on the way to victory in the opening round.
“I think our style of rugby is tough for them,” said Rebels veteran Richard Hardwick.
Chasing their second win, Western Force will close the round in Perth on Saturday against winless Moana Pasifika.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Kim Coghill)
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