Bateman blow for Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have lost a second player ahead of their Super Rugby campaign, which starts with a testing two-match tour of South Africa.
Midfielder Tim Bateman has suffered a grade one medial knee ligament injury at training.
His leg was put in a splint and it is thought he will miss two to six weeks.
More is expected to be known by Thursday.
Flank Brad Shields has already been ruled out of the trip to the Republic with a more serious knee injury.
The Hurricanes get their campaign underway when they take on the Sharks in Durban next Saturday, February 22.
They then head to Cape Town to tackle the Stormers.
* Meanwhile the Hurricanes head to Levin this Friday for their final pre-season run.
With the team set to depart for South Africa on Saturday, coach Mark Hammett is giving his whole squad the opportunity to put their best foot forward against the Crusaders.
All Black Beauden Barrett slots into the flyhalf role, in what will be his first game back.
Newcomer Marty Banks has been named at fullback.
Captain Conrad Smith, Jeremy Thrush, and Cory Jane also return to the starting line-up, along with Alapati Leiua who returns from a hamstring injury.
Hurricanes: 15 Marty Banks, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Adam Hill, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements – from: Motu Matu'u, Ash Dixon, John Schwalger, Brendon Edmonds, Chris Eves, James Broadhurst, Mark Reddish, Blade Thomson, Faifili Levave, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Billy Guyton, James Marshall, Cardiff Vaega, Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Andre Taylor.
Date: Friday, February 14
Venue: Levin Domain, Levin
Kick-off: 16.00 (03.00 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
