Dynamic duo back for Canes
The Hurricanes welcome back Dane Coles and Andre Taylor to the starting XV for Saturday’s game against the Southern Kings at Westpac Stadium.
Coles will return to the starting line-up after a two week lay-off with a lower ankle strain and Taylor returns to the fullback jersey.
Despite enjoying their first bye of the season, there are a few brackets to the starting line-up, as the coaches wait to see how the team come through training on Thursday.
TJ Perenara has a calf strain and Conrad Smith a bruised heel. Both will need to complete training before they will be cleared for Saturday’s match.
If not, that would see Chris Smylie start at scrumhalf with Samisoni Fisilau making his debut on the bench. Alapati Leiua would move into centre and Matt Proctor debuting on the wing.
Ash Dixon will wear the back-up hooker jersey again, allowing Motu Matu’u to recover from his shoulder injury. Changes on the bench include Mark Reddish, who is back in the mix after a hamstring injury early on in the competition, and Reynold Lee-Lo takes jersey No.22 to round off the bench.
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will remain on the sideline this week with an injured sternum. Blade Thomson is still unavailable due to his high ankle sprain for another 3-4 weeks.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua/Matt Proctor, 13 Conrad Smith (captain)/ Alapati Leiua, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara/ Chris Smylie, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie/ Samisoni Fisilau, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.
Date: Saturday, March 30
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 16.35 (5.35 SA time; 3.35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
