The milestones continue for Conrad Smith, who will join Ma'a Nonu as the most capped Hurricane when he leads his team onto Yarrow Stadium this weekend.
Saturday's match against the Chiefs will be Smith's 124th appearance for the 'Canes, a number Nonu brought up against the Highlanders in Napier last weekend.
Smith achieved a milestone earlier this year when he and Nonu became the most capped midfield pairing for the 'Canes, while last week he also became the most successful Hurricanes' captain, winning 33 matches in charge. The record was previously held by Rodney So'oialo, who led the team to 32 victories during his time as captain.
Coach Chris Boyd has shuffled his team slightly for this week's Taranaki clash, bringing Mark Abbott and Taranaki-born Callum Gibbins into the starting line-up, along with Brad Shields who came off the bench last week.
Boyd has decided to let hardworking forwards James Broadhurst and Ardie Savea keep their jackets on a little while longer this week, with the pair having started 13 and 12 matches respectively, out of a possible 15.
Unfortunately, Beauden Barrett will also miss the chance to run onto his home pitch after suffering a calf strain that has ruled him out of the 23. James Marshall will run the show again, while Nehe Milner-Skudder moves to the back. Wider training group member Sam McNicol has been called into the reserves and may get his first ever Super Rugby start.
The team to face the Chiefs at Yarrow Stadium this Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm, is;
- Reggie Goodes
- Dane Coles
- Ben Franks
- Jeremy Thrush
- Mark Abbott
- Brad Shields
- Callum Gibbins
- Victor Vito
- TJ Perenara
- James Marshall
- Julian Savea
- Rey Lee-Lo
- Conrad Smith
- Cory Jane
- Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves
- Brayden Mitchell
- Chris Eves
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
- James Broadhurst
- Ardie Savea
- Frae Wilson
- Willis Halaholo
- Sam McNicol