21 Jul 2016

Julian Savea dropped for Canes' quarter-final

12:33 pm on 21 July 2016

The All Blacks winger Julian Savea has been dropped for the Hurricanes Super Rugby quarter-final against the Sharks.

Julian Savea during the first All Blacks v Wales test at Eden Park 11 June 2016.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Savea has been named on the bench for Saturday night's match in Wellington, with Jason Woodward preferred to start on the left wing.

Jason Woodward.

Jason Woodward. Photo: Photosport

Woodward moves from centre, with Matt Proctor returning to start after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Props Loni Uhila and Ben May come into the front row.

Uhila starts at loosehead prop in place of Reggie Goodes, who was unavailable for selection after leaving the field with concussion during the final match of the regular season against the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend.

It will be Uhila's first start of the season after making 12 previous appearances off the reserves bench, while May also makes his first start of 2016 after eight appearances as a substitute.

After wearing the No 3 jersey against the Crusaders, Chris Eves return to an impact role from a reserves bench that features an injury replacement in the form of former New Zealand Maori prop Mike Kainga and the return of midfielder Vince Aso from a calf strain.

"We had some tough choices, but we believe we've picked the best team to play the Sharks," Boyd said. "We've got some real depth and at the end of the day we pick the team on form and what we think is best for the team. Loni Uhila, Jason Woodward and Willis Halaholo were all very good against the Crusaders and they've forced our hand for this match."

Bay of Plenty prop Kainga, a member of the Chiefs Super Rugby squad in 2013, is eligible for the Hurricanes due to injuries to front line props Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (broken arm), Hisa Sasagi (calf strain) and Goodes.

The Hurricanes earned home advantage for the quarterfinal after winning the New Zealand Conference and topping the competition ladder with a record of 11 wins and four losses.

The Sharks earned a wildcard berth in the playoffs after finishing third in the South African Conference behind the Lions and Stormers, and eighth overall on the competition ladder with a record of nine wins and five losses.

Hurricanes team to play the Sharks:

15 James Marshall

14 Cory Jane

13 Matt Proctor

12 Willis Halaholo

11 Jason Woodward

10 Beauden Barrett

9 TJ Perenara (vc)

8 Victor Vito

7 Ardie Savea

6 Brad Shields

5 Michael Fatialofa

4 Vaea Fifita

3 Ben May

2 Dane Coles (c)

1 Loni Uhila

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson Park, Vince Aso, Julian Savea.

Injured: Reggie Goodes (concussion), Ngani Laumape (groin), Blade Thomson (shoulder), Nehe Milner-Skudder (shoulder), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (broken arm), Motu Matu'u (broken arm).

-RNZ