The unbeaten Hurricanes have made a couple of key loose forward changes for their big Super Rugby clash with defending champions NSW Waratahs.
No.8 Victor Vito has been ruled out by a calf injury but the Hurricanes regain go-getting young openside flanker Ardie Savea after he overcame a finger injury and was selected for the clash at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
With Savea returning, Callum Gibbins switches from openside to blindside flanker and Brad Shields moves back to take Vito's place at No.8.
The Hurricanes will be further spurred with All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush playing his 100th game for the franchise.
Thrush will be coming up against the same side he debuted against more than seven years ago.
Reserve halfback Chris Smylie misses out with a calf injury with Frae Wilson drafted onto the bench.
Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (capt), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Moto Matu'u, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Adam Hill, Frae Wilson, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall.
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