Hurricanes limp into Dunedin
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has been forced to make changes to his victorious team, ahead of their Super Rugby trip to Dunedin on Friday.
The Hurricanes are striving for back-to-back wins, as they prepare for their first Super Rugby match against New Zealand opposition.
They face a Highlanders side who sit one point above them on the New Zealand conference ladder.
Hammett was forced shuffled his squad, following injuries to James Marshall and Blade Thomson.
Cory Jane also suffered an ankle injury at training on Tuesday, ruling him out of Friday's match, while Jeremy Thrush was unavailable for selection due to a personal commitment.
Marty Banks comes back into the starting line-up for Marshall at No.15, who is suffering a toe injury, while Andre Taylor makes his first appearance among the replacements as specialist fullback cover.
Faifili Levave moves into No.8, while Jack Lam returns to complete the back row, along with Ardie Savea.
Hawke's Bay's Ash Dixon is set to suit up for the first time this season, replacing Motu Matu'u – to provide cover at hooker on the bench.
"We're fortunate in that we've got three very, very good hookers – it's probably one of the most competitive spots in the team," said Hammett.
"This week, we've decided to give Ash an opportunity, while we can also give Motu some decent game time for the development team."
Hurricanes: 15 Marty Banks, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Faifili Levave, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jack Lam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Chris Eves, 18 John Schwalger, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Blade Thomson/Adam Hill, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Matt Proctor, 23 Andre Taylor.
Date: Friday, March 21
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Kane McBride (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Watt (New Zealand)
