Super Rugby
Savea 'unavailable' for Hurricanes
April 24, 2013
The Hurricanes' Julian Savea fends the Crusaders' Israel Dagg, Hurricanes v Crusaders, Super Rugby, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, March 8, 2013
Hurricanes winger Julian Savea will re-join the team for the tour of South Africa © Getty Images
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Troubled Hurricanes winger Julian Savea has been withdrawn from the Hurricanes clash against the Stormers on Friday night.

The 22-year-old appeared in court on Monday to face a common assault charge following an "argument"' with his partner last week.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has come under fire for his decision to play Savea during last Friday's clash with Western Force despite having full knowledge of the incident that took place on the previous Sunday.

However, on Thursday Hammett released a statement to announce that Savea will not play this week but said he will return for next week's tour to South Africa.

"Julian has made himself unavailable for the Stormers game this week before he re-joins the team next week," the statement read. "Julian has approached us on this decision and we agree."

In Savea's place, Matt Proctor gets his first start on the wing.Returning to the starting line-up are Jason Eaton, Karl Lowe, Victor Vito and TJ Perenara. Beauden Barrett displaces Tusi Pisi at first five-eighth with Andre Taylor coming in at fullback.

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor; Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Matt Proctor; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields; Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush; Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, Ben Franks. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Ben May, Mark Reddish, Faifili Levave, Ardie Savea, Chris Smylie, Tusi Pisi.

© Sportal

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