Hurricanes unchanged for Highlanders

Captain Dane Coles remains sidelined by injury as the Hurricanes unveiled an unchanged starting team to face the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Coach Chris Boyd has asked the starting players who succumbed 52-10 to the Brumbies in their opening Super Rugby match at Canberra last week to atone against the defending champions on Saturday.

“We didn’t start the season how we intended to and I know the boys are hurting,” Boyd said.

“They’ll be going out to put in a performance they’re proud of.”

All Blacks hooker Coles is still feeling a tight calf muscle which, in conjunction with Motu Matu’u’s knee struggles, is placing pressure on the front row stocks.

Leni Apisai will start at hooker, with New Zealand under-20 representative Ricky Riccitelli his backup once again.

The only cloud over the starting team is a knee injury to fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder, which leaves him bracketed with James Marshall.

Utility Marshall, who missed the opener on parental leave, will be on the bench if Milner-Skudder is cleared to play.

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder/James Marshall, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Loni Uhila, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Marshall/Jason Woodward, Willis Halaholo.