"Do my job" - Returning All Black eager for Hurricanes to recover from Fijian Drua defeat

Head coach Clark Laidlaw has been boosted by the return of two All Blacks, with loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi and prop Pasilio Tosi both set to feature for the first time this season. Kirifi slots straight into the starting side, pushing Brayden Iose to the bench, while Tosi is in line for his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance of the campaign after overcoming a minor injury.

The Hurricanes were unable to close out their clash in Fiji last week, a result that stung given the high standards they have set in recent seasons. Halfback Cam Roigard, who will bring up his 50th Hurricanes appearance on Friday night, acknowledged the challenge of regrouping quickly.

"Obviously the Fiji game didn't go to plan, there was a lot of things that, although you try to prepare as well as you can for the unexpected, things around conditions and whatnot made it really difficult and things didn't seem to go our way in that second half.

"Short week as well for us, including the treble, so it's been very jam-packed this week trying to review a disappointing result and then move forward to a really strong Waratahs outfit who are fresh off a bye and really excited to put a result on us."

Roigard will again combine with Callum Harkin in the halves as the Hurricanes look to rediscover their rhythm against a Waratahs side returning from a round three bye.

For Tosi, the match marks a welcome return after a stop-start beginning to the year.

"Had a few niggles so I was just slowly coming back from that. Played a hunters game two weeks ago against Crusaders development side so it was good to get a few minutes there and get the legs going again, travelled last week to Fiji and then I'm lucky enough to be a part of the side this week. I'm looking forward to getting back out there again, it's been a while."

The powerful prop is clear about what he wants to bring in his comeback performance.

"When I come back in, I just want to do my job. I want to nail my job, I don't want to do anything that's too over the top, I don't want to come back and try and be Superman. My job is to come back in, scrum, work around the field, all that kind of stuff. Don't want to be Superman but I want to nail my job to the best of my ability."

Laidlaw expects a stern examination from the hosts.

“The match this weekend is going to be a good battle. We haven’t played over here for a couple of years now, so I’m sure the Waratahs are looking forward to welcoming us here,” Laidlaw said.

“They’re coming off a bye week, so they’ll be ready to go. We feel really prepared. We’ve travelled well and recovered well from Fiji. There are no major injuries, so the boys are in good spirits and are ready to go on Friday night.”