Ricky Riccitelli and Jimmy Marshall will co-captain a 24-man team against the Crusaders Development Team at Porirua Park on Saturday.

The squad boasts a number of Hurricanes players, who returned from a successful tour of Africa and Argentina on Tuesday.

Marshall will start at first five, with Danny Toala at second five, Jonathan Taumateine at halfback and Chase Tiatia at fullback.

Head coach, Darren Larsen, says there’s plenty of pedigree in the backline.

“The Crusaders Development Team are always a tough match-up. We know, they’ll hold us accountable for any mistakes we make, so we need those boys at their best and steering the game.

Up front Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo and Brayden Iose will all get a start. 

Riccitelli says he can’t wait to get out there with the team.

“I’m really looking forward to a hit-out with these boys. We know it will be physical – but we’ve worked hard to prepare ourselves for whatever they throw at us.

Meanwhile, James O’Reilly adds firepower to the bench, sitting alongside former schoolboy star Aidan Morgan.

Kick off at Porirua Park is 1pm.

The Hurricanes Hunters team to face the Crusaders Development Team is:

15 Chase Tiatia

14 Kobus Van Wyk

13 Peter Umaga-Jensen

12 Danny Toala

11 Josiah Maraku

10 Jimmy Marshall

9 Jonathan Taumateine

8 Devan Flanders

7 Josh Southall

6 Brayden Iose

5 Caleb Delany

4 Taine Plumtree

3 Tevita Mafileo

2 Ricky Riccitelli

1 Xavier Numia

Reserves

16 James O’Reilly

17 Sitiveni Paongo

18 Joel Hintz

19 Hugo Plummer

20 Iona Apineru

24 Josh Kaifa

21 Connor McLeod

22 Aidan Morgan

23 Drew Wild