Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has welcomed a selection headache after Ngane Punivai thrust himself into semifinal contention with a hat-trick in their record rout of the Brumbies.
Punivai crossed three times after replacing Callum Harkin in the 54th minute, helping the Hurricanes complete a 66-12 demolition in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final, with Josh Moorby shifting to fullback.
With competition-leading try-scorer Fehi Fineanganofo due back for next Saturday’s semifinal against the lucky loser, Laidlaw faces a dilemma out wide.
Fineanganofo (16 tries in 12 games), Moorby (13 in 14), Kini Naholo (five in five) and Punivai (three in three) are effectively competing for three spots in the match-day 23 – two starting roles and a place on the bench.
Fineanganofo is expected to slot straight back in after recovering from a hamstring injury, but his absence has barely been felt, with Naholo – last year’s first-choice left wing – impressing after returning from a long-term ACL injury.
