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Cooper swings the axe over Hurricanes

Article Published: Wednesday 17 March 2010

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Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has swing the axe and dropped five of his stars in the hope that shaking up the team will get their season back on track after uninspired performances.

The Hurricanes started the season well but have now lost two matches on tour and have not impressed while in South Africa.

All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is one of six changes players that have been axed along with the Super14's current top try scorer David Smith.

Weepu drops to the bench while openside flanker Scott Waldrom has been left out of the squad altogether.

Lock Bryn Evans and prop Jacob Ellison have been dropped to the bench with wing David Smith.

Last week's tryscorer Tyson Keats has taken Weepu's place at halfback while Alapati Leiua comes in for Smith.

Recent Taranaki signing Andre Taylor replaces the injured Cory Jane at fullback.

Jane has returned to New Zealand due to injury

Wellington's Jeremy Thrush gets his first start of the year at lock while Karl Lowe replaces Waldrom at openside, and John Schwalger returns at loosehead prop for Ellison.

Cooper had warned that following the 37-13 loss to the Stormers he would swing the axe and he has done just that.

Hurricanes Team:

Andre Taylor, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Alapati Leiua, Willie Ripia, Tyson Keats, Rodent So'oialo, Karl Lowe, Victor Vito, Michael Paterson, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (c), John Schwalger.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Nick Crosswell, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, David Smith.

 

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