Coles back for Canes' crunch match
Hurricanes captain Dane Coles and lock Michael Fatialofa have both been passed fit to play the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium in a Round 14 match on Friday.
Coles and Fatialofa both successfully completed concussion protocols this week and were part of a fully fit Hurricanes squad from which coach Chris Boyd could select his team.
The five players who were stood down for the Hurricanes last match against the Reds for missing a team curfew in South Africa return to the fold – with loose forwards Victor Vito and Ardie Savea, as well as wings Julian Savea and Cory Jane back in the starting fifteen, and prop Chris Eves among the reserves.
"This was a very tough team to select," Boyd said after settling on his match day 23.
"We've got a lot of guys who are fit and in form at the moment, which is great, but makes things tough for the coaches when it comes to naming the team."
In total there are four changes to the team that started in a bonus point 29-14 win over the Reds before Hurricanes bye week.
Vito's return at No.8 sees Blade Thomson return to the second row meaning Vaea Fifita returns to an impact role from the reserves, while openside flank Ardie Savea pushes Callum Gibbins to the bench.
Wings Julian Savea and Cory Jane take the place of Wes Goosen and Jason Woodward respectively, the latter taking his place among a reserves bench, which also feature the return of scrumhalf Jamison Gibson Park in place of Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. Eves provides impact from the bench where he has edged out Ben May.
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 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Loni Uhila, 19 Mark Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 Jason Woodward.
Date: Friday, May 27
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Peterson (New Zealand)
