Dane Coles will have to wait to make his official debut as Hurricanes captain.
The All Blacks hooker has been ruled out of the 2016 season‑opener against the Brumbies after suffering a calf strain near the end of training yesterday.
Instead, it will be halfback TJ Perenara with the Captain armband next to his name with Leni Apisai coming off the bench to start in the No 2 jersey and Ricky Riccitelli joining the reserves.
The 29‑year‑old might be an All Black and World Cup‑winner, but no school or age‑group or club coach had ever appointed him captain on the way through.
It has taken Boyd to see what lurked beneath that rough diamond's exterior.
The Hurricanes will have a brand new midfield combination after many years following the departure of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
The new midfield combination is Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso.
The Hurricanes will take on the Brumbies at 8.40pm tomorrow.
Source: stuff.co
