Canes rush back their All Blacks
The Round 15 match is a 'must-win' for the sixth-placed Hurricanes, who are still in with a chance of topping both the New Zealand conference and overall standings.
Canes coach Chris Boyd made just one change to the team that beat the Highlanders before Super Rugby's June break.
Other than lock Vaea Fifita, Boyd has named the same run-on fifteen that played against the Highlanders on May 27 – with All Blacks Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea and TJ Perenara all fit and ready to resume their Super Rugby duties.
Fifita comes into the starting team in place of Blade Thomson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in training during Super Rugby's June break.
While Fifita is the only change to the starting side, Boyd has reshuffled a reserves bench that includes in-form United States Eagles openside Tony Lamborn.
Hooker Ricky Riccitelli comes in for Motu Matu'u, who is out after breaking his arm while playing for Samoa, Mark Abbott takes Fifita's place on the bench, and Willis Halaholo provides midfield cover in the absence of Ngani Laumape, who is out with a groin injury.
Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (captain), Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Tony Lambourn, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 Jason Woodward.
Date: Saturday, July 2
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
