Nonu hits another milestone
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Ma'a Nonu will become the joint most capped Hurricane of all-time alongside legend Tana Umaga, as the Hurricanes take on the Blues on Saturday.
Nonu will claim his 122nd cap for the Wellington outfit when he runs onto to Eden Park in the New Zealand derby.
Changes to the Hurricanes team see Chris Eves and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen take on the propping duties on Saturday in place of Reggie Goodes and Ben Franks (Achilles), with Ben May and debutant Tolu Fahamokioa coming into the reserves.
The absence of Conrad Smith gives Rey Lee-Lo a start at centre, while Willis Halaholo comes onto the bench in what is his first appearance for the Hurricanes this season.
The Blues and Hurricanes previously met in Palmerston North this season, with the Hurricanes prevailing 30-23 courtesy of a late Julian Savea try.
The Blues have won their previous two matches in Auckland, with the Hurricanes’ last win there coming in 2012 with a thrilling 26-25 win on full-time.
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 James Marshall, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Blade Thomson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush (captain), 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Chris Eves.
Replacements: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17 Ben May, 18 Tolu Fahamokioa, 19 Mark Abbott/Callum Gibbins, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Otere Black, 23 Willis Halaholo.
Date: Saturday May, 23
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-Off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Aki Aso
TMO: Aaron Paterson
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