Hurricanes play without Coles

Hurricanes coach Jason Holland worries about the Super Rugby Aotearoa injury toll in the coming weeks, but not for the immediate health of his co-captain Dane Coles. Holland unveiled a side to host the Highlanders today at 3.35pm featuring five changes to the starting XV who notched their first win of the competition, 25-18 over the Chiefs.

The most noteworthy was All Blacks hooker Coles’ absence with a calf niggle, an area which has caused him problems over the years.

Fear not, said Holland as he named the dynamic Asafo Aumua in the No 2 jersey for the first time since their pre-lockdown defeat to the Blues on March 7, and Ricky Riccitelli on the bench.

“Nothing serious (on the injury front), but we always realised this was going to be a tough four-week block for us,” Holland said.

“We wanted to make sure with our three hookers we don’t lose too much with any of them.

“If Colesy is a little bit niggly it makes sense not to have him out there.”

LINE-UP

Hurricanes: 1. Ben May, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du ‘Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Fletcher Smith, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Vince Aso, 14. Kobus Van Wyk,

15. Jordie Barrett.

Reserves: 16. Ricky Riccitelli,

17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex

Fidow, 19. Vaea Fifita, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jamies Booth, 22. Billy Proctor, 23. Wes Goosen

Highlanders: 1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Ash Dixon (cc), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson,

5. Jack Whetton, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dillon Hunt, 8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9. Aaron Smith (cc),

10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki,

12. Patelesio Tomkinson, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Scott Gregory, 15. Michael Collins.

Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Manaaki SelbyRickit, 20. Jesse Parete, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Bryn Gatland,

23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas.

- Super Aotearoa