Super Rugby 2019: Hurricanes' TJ Perenara to mark milestone in Super Rugby semi-final against Crusaders

  • 27/06/2019
Perenara.
Perenara. Photo credit: Getty

Captain TJ Perenara will become the most capped Hurricanes player in history, when his side takes on the Crusaders in their Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch on Saturday.

Perenara will go ahead of former Hurricanes team-mates Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, when he makes his 127th appearance, eight seasons after he debuted against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The number nine is part of a line-up that is just a Wes Goosen injury absence away from full strength.

Goosen aggravated his hamstring injury in the tight 35-28 quarter-final win over the Bulls on Saturday and has been replaced by Salesi Rayasi on the right wing.

Vaea Fifita's return from suspension has bolstered the bench, while James Marshall has recovered from an elbow injury that saw him scratched late from last weekend's fixture. 

Super Rugby 2019: Hurricanes' TJ Perenara to mark milestone in Super Rugby semi-final against Crusaders

Meanwhile, Xavier Numia bumps Fraser Armstrong from the bench in the only other change.

Coach John Plumtree said it was a fitting occasion for Perenara to raise such a milestone.

"TJ has been a remarkable player and leader for the Hurricanes for such a long time," said Plumtree. "We know he shows that every time he goes out with the jersey on.

"He will relish the chall  enge of going down to play the Crusaders and having a chance to play in a Super Rugby final." 

Hurricanes: 1-Toby Smith 2-Dane Coles, 3-Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6-Reed Prinsep, 7-Ardie Savea, 8-Gareth Evans, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Ben Lam, 12-Ngani Laumape, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Salesi Rayasi, 15-Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Xavier Numia, 18-Ben May, 19-Kane Le'aupepe, 20-Vaea Fifita, 21-Richard Judd, 22-James Marshall, 23-Jonah Lowe

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Super Rugby 2019: Hurricanes' TJ Perenara to mark milestone in Super Rugby semi-final against Crusaders