Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett and Nehe Milner‑Skudder have been named to start the Hurricanes first home match of the Super Rugby season against the Rebels at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
The star trio are among four personnel changes to the Hurricanes team that ran out against the Sunwolves last week.
Milner‑Skudder has recovered from the hamstring strain that ruled him out of the season opener to replace Jordie Barrett at fullback.
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd says the selection of the team had been fairly straight forward with the changes largely part of a plan for the opening two matches of the season.
Blade Thomson dislocated his shoulder in Japan and is having scans to determine the severity of his injury.
Boyd says the challenge for his team was to put their first up result behind them and prepare for a battle against the Rebels.
The Hurricanes will play the Rebels at 4.15pm this Saturday.
Hurricanes Team: Nehe Milner‑Skudder, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, James Blackwell, Jeffery To'omaga‑Allen, Dane Coles (c), Chris Eves. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Otere Black, Jordie Barrett.
Source: Hurricanes.co.nz
