The Hurricanes have been bolstered by the return of Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea for their match against the Brumbies in Palmerston North on Friday.
Barrett, Savea, TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape and Vaea Fifita all return to add a combined 182 All Blacks caps to the Hurricanes’ starting XV.
Meanwhile, Barrett’s brother Jordie has dropped out of the match 23 entirely after playing 160 minutes in the opening two rounds. He is replaced by Chase Tiatia, who makes his first start at fullback.
Savea will wear the No 8 jersey after Gareth Evans was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Hurricanes – 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Chris Eves.
Subs: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Wes Goosen.
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
