Injuries force Hurricanes into changes

Injuries have played a part in the Hurricanes making a host of changes for their Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Highlanders in Wellington tomorrow afternoon.

The absence of co-captain Dane Coles headlines five adjustments to the starting XV after their victory over the Chiefs. The All Blacks’ hooker drops out of the 23 with a calf niggle, making way for Asafo Aumua, who will start.

Calf injuries have been an ongoing problem for Coles but Hurricanes coach Jason Holland has downplayed its severity as “nothing serious”.

“We’re not stressed about it anymore.”

Holland says regardless, they knew they need to rotate their hooking group during the four-week block between byes.

Injuries have also seen loose forward Reed Prinsep (hamstring) and prop Fraser Armstrong (knee) plucked from the team, with Devan Flanders and Ben May coming into the starting lineup.

“We’re hoping they’re all just one week,” Holland says.

“We’ve got guys who have been training hard and are all in really good nick, if someone’s 80 per cent and someone’s 100, we’re going to get the guy out there who’s 100 per cent.”

In other changes, first-five Fletcher Smith gets the nod ahead of Jackson Garden-Bachop, who has started all three games in the competition.

Holland insists he is rotating the squad.

“With a lot of our selections we reckon that we’re going to need 25, 26, 27 guys to win this championship. There’s a little bit of rotation there, Jacko’s done a pretty good job but Fletch is going to get an opportunity.”

Vince Aso returns to his familiar 13 jumper, while Billy Proctor maintains his spot on the bench. Peter UmagaJensen drops out of the 23.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders have also made five changes to their starting side after their loss to the Crusaders.

There is a new front row with Ayden Johnstone, Ash Dixon and Siate Tokolahi returning in place of Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman and Jeff Thwaites.

Jack Whetton replaces the injured Josh Dickson at lock, and utility back Scott Gregory comes on to the wing for Ngane Punivai.