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Coles to lead Hurricanes against Chiefs

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Coles will step up to lead the Hurricanes in Friday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Chiefs in a week which saw the veteran hooker commit to the franchise for the next two years.

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Coles replaces the injured Ardie Savea as leader after the dynamic loose forward was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury.

No stranger to leading the Hurricanes, after captaining the team to its first-ever Super Rugby title in 2016, Coles said it was a ‘no brainer’ to step up and lead the side on to Waikato Stadium.

“I’m one of the leaders in our group and it would not be right to ask someone else to do a job I’m really proud to do,” he said.

“While we haven’t got the results we wanted so far this season I can see the attitude is still right amongst the boys and we are really looking forward to getting up to Hamilton and putting together a really good performance.”

Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland has made three changes to the starting XV which lost in extra time against the Crusaders before the side had a bye last week.

Scott Scrafton, who also extended his contract with the team last week, returns at lock while Du’Plessis Kirifi comes in for Savea.

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Wing Salesi Rayasi also makes a return with Wes Goosen switching to the No.14 jersey.

Manawatu loose forward Brayden Iose is set for a debut from the bench.

Holland said the team remain determined to finish the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign on a high.

“I haven’t been able to fault the attitude of the entire squad all the way through and I know the desire is really there to show we are better than the results that have come our way.”

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Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Luke Campbell, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Pouri Rakere-Stones, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Brayden Lose, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Billy Proctor.

Date: Friday, April 23
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Mike Fraser
TMO: Glenn Newmann

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