50 players have played for the Hurricanes this season, nine of them hookers

The Hurricanes reached a unique milestone when Riley Higgins took the field in the second half of their 67-5 win over the Fijian Drua and it had nothing to do with the score.

The 19-year-old midfielder became the 50th different player to feature for the Hurricanes in the first 11 games of the Super Rugby Pacific season when he made his debut in the franchise’s third-biggest win.

That is 12 more players than were originally named in the 38-man squad with Covid-19 related illness, injuries, suspensions and All Blacks rest policies testing the Hurricanes’ depth more than ever before.

There is one particular position where the Hurricanes have felt the pinch the most.

Nine of the 50 players to have taken the field for the Hurricanes this season have been hookers.

Dane Coles added his name to a long list that also includes Asafo Aumua, James O’Reilly, Jacob Devery, Siua Maile, Raymond Tuputupu, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Bruce Kauika-Peterson and Leni Apisai when he made his comeback from a long-term injury in the 11 tries to one rout of the Drua.

The Hurricanes meet the Waratahs at 9.45pm Saturday, the Crusaders face the Brumbies at 9.45pm Friday while the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua taken on Moana Pasifika at 4.35pm Saturday.