Page 104 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

HURRICANES v THE LIONS
Last year’s Super Rugby win was long overdue for the the the Wellington-based Hurricanes A serious test of of the the the credentials of of the the the Lions awaits 27 JUNE 2017
WESTPAC
STADIUM WELLINGTON
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TRIES TRIES TRIES TRIES TRIES TRIES AND MORE TRIES TRIES TRIES has become something
of a a a a a a de ning mantra for the the Hurricanes and their journey to to the the the the top of the the the the Super Rugby tree After narrowly missing out in in the the the the the 2015 nal the the the the Hurricanes captured the the the the title last year defeating the the the the Lions (of South Africa) 20-3 in in the the nal With Beauden Barrett Cory Jane Dane Coles Julian Savea and TJ Perenara lining up it shouldn’t have been a a a a a a a a a surprise In 2017
they’ve hit the the ground running once more notching up a a a a a record-breaking 83-17 away scoreline at the Sunwolves in in in in Japan swiftly followed by a a a a a a a 71-6 demolition of the the Melbourne Rebels Their 2015 nal opponents the the Highlanders have also been dispatched 41-15 – this de de de nitely isn’t a a a a a a a Hurricanes Hurricanes side that’s shy of the the tryline The stats say the the Hurricanes Hurricanes kick less than any team in in Super Rugby so fans can can expect an an an an an an exhibition of the nest running rugby
THREE HURRICANES TO WATCH
BRAD SHIELDS (loose forward)
The versatile loose forward and former Under 20 world champion was a a a a constant presence as as the star-studded Hurricanes won the Super Rugby title last year OTERE BLACK ( rst ve-eighth)
Picked to to tour with the Maori All Blacks in 2015 – after just 11 matches for Manawatu – and with plenty
of of offers on the table he he re-signed
for the Hurricanes last season MICHAEL FATIALOFA (lock)
Former Southland player ‘Fats’ was the Hurricanes’ rookie of the year in 2016 and had his form rewarded with a a a a Barbarians invitation when they faced South Africa last year 104 // DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS
SERIES 2017
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