All Blacks hooker Dane Coles has been named to make his return from injury for Saturday's Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Chiefs in Wellington.
Coles has had limited game time during Super Rugby Aotearoa, struggling with an ongoing calf strain and more recently a back injury, but he's raring to go, after a couple of weeks on the sidelines.
He missed the Hurricanes' stunning 34-32 win over the Crusaders, but will slot straight back into the starting side in their must-win clash against the Chiefs.
Coles' side will need to win, if they want to remain in contention for the Super Rugby Aotearoa title, altough the Crusaders can wrap up the title with victory against the Highlanders on Sunday.
The Hurricanes have made a raft of changes to their starting side, with prop Tyrel Lomax - who was a late scratching before kick-off against the Crusaders - named to start at tighthead prop, with Ben May at loosehead.
In the backs, Wes Goosen, who will play his 50th Super Rugby match, shifts to the left wing, after the departure of Ben Lam, with Kobus Van Wyk playing on the right.
Vince Aso is named at second-five in place of Ngani Laumape, who has been ruled out for the season with a wrist injury. The rest of the starting team is unchanged.
On the bench, prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, lock Kane Le'aupepe, loose forward Devan Flanders, centre Billy Proctor and outside back Jonah Lowe will provide cover for their respective positions.
As expected, Julian Savea, who joined the Hurricanes last week, hasn't been named, although he remains in contention to feature next weekend against the Highlanders.
Earlier in Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 25-18 at Hamilton.
Hurricanes: 1-Ben May, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Scott Scrafton, 6-Reed Prinsep, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Wes Goosen, 12-Vince Aso, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Kobus Van Wyk, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Asafo Aumua, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Pouri Rekate-Stones, 19-Kane Le’aupepe, 20-Devan Flanders, 21-Jamie Booth, 22-Billy Proctor, 23-Jonah Lowe
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Hurricanes v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
