The Hurricanes will be without hooker Dane Coles for Friday’s Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders but 2 other All Blacks return to the starting 15.
Coles was originally named in the starting for 15 for the game in Dunedin but was withdrawn as a precaution, following Wednesday’s training session with a hyper-extended elbow.
He has been replaced in the run-on side by Motu Matu’u, with Brayden Mitchell coming onto the bench.
There are 3 other changes to the team that beat the Blues last week.
Jeremy Thrush comes back into the starting line-up and will pair with Blade Thomson in what will be his 1st start at lock for 2015, while Cory Jane replaces Matt Proctor on the right wing.
Ben May has recovered from a leg injury and occupies a spot on the bench at the expense of Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, while Callum Gibbins also returns to the match day 23.
Each of the franchises’ past 12 Super Rugby encounters have been decided by within 7 points, while the away team has won 6 of their last 8 clashes.
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (Captain), 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Blade Thomson, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Moto Matu’u, 1 Reggie Goodes
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Ben May, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 James Marshall
Date: Friday 20 March
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-Off: 08:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEDT, 06:35 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson, Paul Williams