The Hurricanes have rewarded teenage utility-back Ruben Love with a starting debut at first-five against the Crusaders on Sunday.
Ruben Love taking a conversion at the Game of Three Halves. Photo: Photosport
The club's first-five ranks are significantly diminished just five games into the Super Rugby Aotearoa season, with Jackson Garden-Bachop and Simon Hickey both ruled out with serious injuries.
After injuries to their first-choice No.10s, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland opted to bring Orbyn Leger into first-five where he has started their last three games.
However, Leger has not been selected in the 22-man squad named to play the reigning champions on Sunday afternoon with Love given a start at first-five.
Jason Holland said he has been impressed with the 19-year-old's work ethic since he joined the squad this year.
"We've known what a talent he is and he's had time to get into the environment in saying that Orbyn's done a really solid job for us but yeah we're giving Ruben an opportunity and he's looking forward to it," he said.
Although he's been given a start in a key position against the reigning champions, Holland doesn't want to put too much pressure on the young player.
"I just want him to be Ruben Love, I don't want him to try and figure out how to be any other 10," he said, "I know he's an absolute student of the game and he will have done his homework so all he needs to do is go out there and make decisions and have a crack at whatever he sees."
Ruben Love at the Game of Three Halves pre-season match Photo: Reef Reid
The Hurricanes will be buoyed by the return of All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua who started the season in exciting form before he picked up a shoulder injury in their last match aginst the Crusaders.
Aumua will start on the bench while Holland has made three changes to his forward pack with Ardie Savea moving to openside-flanker, Xavier Numia joining the front-row and Isaia Walker-Leawere starting at lock.
Meanwhile in the backline, Peter Umaga-Jensen starts at centre replacing Billy Proctor with Wes Goosen starting at left-wing.
As part of the Hurricanes' annual 'Club Day' celebration the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens will also play exhibition fixtures at either side of the Hurricanes' match at Wellington Regional Stadium.
