24 Apr 2013

Savea withdraws from Hurricanes side

1:37 pm on 24 April 2013

The All Blacks winger Julian Savea has withdrawn from the Hurricanes side to play the South African team the Stormers in Palmerston North on Friday night.

Savea appeared in court in Wellington earlier this week charged with assault.

He played for the Hurricanes last week but coach Mark Hammett says Savea has made himself unavailable for this week's game but will re-join the team next week.

Savea's absence is one of several changes to the starting lineup which beat the Western Force last round.

The All Black loose foward Victor Vito returns to the side having recovered from a calf injury, while flanker Karl Lowe is also back along with halfback T J Perenara.

Beauden Barrett moves back to first five eight from fullback with Tusi Pisi dropping to the reserves and Andre Taylor starting at fullback.

Matt Proctor replaces Savea on the wing.