Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles will make an earlier than expected return to the Hurricanes as they get ready to host the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
Coles was pencilled in to return against the Sharks next week, but the positive progress of his elbow injury will see him come off the pine this weekend. He will be joined by Blade Thomson, who has also been side-lined for the past five weeks with concussion.
Nehe Milner-Skudder returns to the starting line-up, as does Cory Jane on the right wing, with Matt Proctor sliding onto the bench.
The Hurricanes team to face the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium, kick-off 7.35pm is;
- Reggie Goodes
- Motu Matu'u
- Ben Franks
- Jeremy Thrush
- James Broadhurst
- Callum Gibbins
- Ardie Savea
- Brad Shields
- TJ Perenara
- Beauden Barrett
- Julian Savea
- Ma'a Nonu
- Conrad Smith (c)
- Cory Jane
- Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
18. Chris Eves
19. Mark Abbott
20. Blade Thomson
21. Chris Smylie
22. Matt Proctor
23. James Marshall