Hurricanes to unleash returning star against Blues
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Dane Coles will return from injury to start in this Saturday’s blockbuster match-up against the Blues in Wellington.
The Hurricanes currently sit four points shy of the Auckland-based side and will be in search of redemption following a 20-30 loss at Eden Park in Round One.
Other than Coles, only two other changes have been made to the XV which beat the Highlanders last Sunday.
Jackson Garden-Bachop gets back the No.10 jersey from Fletcher Smith and Peter Umaga-Jensen makes a return to the mid-field.
Whilst the Blues have won their last two matches against the Hurricanes, they have not won three in succession since 2003.
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Paul Williams
TMO: James Doleman
