All Black Peter Umaga-Jensen will shift to second five-eighth for the Hurricanes against the Waratahs on Friday, as the departing Ngani Laumape sits out the trip to Sydney.
In a nod to next year, coach Jason Holland named regular centre Umaga-Jensen in the No 12 jersey for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener, alongside Billy Proctor at 13.
Fifteen-test All Black Laumape, who signed a seven-figure deal with French club Stade Francais this week, was omitted from the Hurricanes 23 altogether.
Team management insisted the decision to rest the in-form Laumape this week was made before he told them on Monday night he was heading to France at the end of SRTT.
Umaga-Jensen’s return to the starting lineup is one of three changes to the starting lineup who beat the Highlanders 41-22 in their final Aotearoa match.
