Hurricanes v Highlanders: Teams
The Hurricanes have named an unchanged squad for their Super Rugby derby with the Highlanders on Saturday.
Last Updated: 16/03/12 11:06am
The Hurricanes have named an unchanged squad for their Super Rugby derby with the Highlanders on Saturday.
Having opened up with three games on the road, the Hurricanes will play their first home match of the season on the back of their thumping of the Western Force.
And coach Mark Hammett will be looking for TJ Perenara to build on his impressive debut, with the 19-year-old scoring a hat-trick in Perth.
The Highlanders have made three changes to their starting XV, with Ma'afu Fia, Jimmy Cowan and Ben Smith all starting.
Fia comes into the front row, while All Blacks No.9 Jimmy Cowan replaces the livewire Aaron Smith.
Smith will start at full-back with Colin Slade switching to his favoured position at fly-half as Lima Sopoaga is injured.
There is also a place in the squad for the fit-again Chris Noakes, who impressed on his debut against the Chiefs before being injured.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Michael Bent, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Charlie Ngatai.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Ma'afu Fia King, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (capt).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 James Haskell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Buxton Popoali'i.
