All Blacks hooker Dane Coles will get his first start for the Hurricanes in 10 weeks, after being named to take on the Blues in their Super Rugby game at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Coles injured his elbow in their clash with the Blues in Palmerston North on March 13th.
Dane Coles in action for the Hurricanes, 2012. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Since then he also suffered a calf strain and has played a couple of games off the bench.
Coles will pack down alongside props Chris Eves and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen with Reggie Goodes suspended and Ben Franks injured.
As expected, captain Conrad Smith is being rested after taking a knock to the head last weekend, with Ray Lee-Lo starting at centre outside Ma'a Nonu.
Conrad Smith down after head knock, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Prop Tolu Fahamokioa and back Willis Halaholo are set to debut off the bench.
The Hurricanes last won in Auckland in 2012.
Saturday's match will be Ma'a Nonu's 122nd appearance for the Hurricanes, equalling Tana Umaga's record as the most-capped Hurricane of all time.
The Hurricanes have a 13 point lead at the top of the standings.
Hurricanes:
1.Chris Eves
2.Dane Coles
3.Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4.Jeremy Thrush (c)
5.James Broadhurst
6.Blade Thomson
7.Ardie Savea
8.Victor Vito
9.TJ Perenara
10.James Marshall
11.Julian Savea
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Rey Lee-Lo
14.Cory Jane
15.Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves:
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
