Milner-skudder to miss opener

No Nehe Milner-skudder. It would be bad news for most teams, but as far as replacements go, they don’t come much better than Jordie Barrett.

And facing the Sunwolves first up, the Hurricanes can clearly afford to err on the side of caution.

After making a successful return from shoulder surgery during the preseason, Milner-skudder will miss the Hurricanes opening game in Tokyo with a minor hamstring compliant. So, too, will prop Loni Uhila with a calf issue.

Milner-skudder’s absence is expected to pave the way for Barrett to make his Super Rugby debut at fullback.

Barrett is just as comfortable at second five-eighth but spent the majority of his time at fullback during the Hurricanes’ pre-season, sharing the role with Milnerskudder, so it should be a seamless transition. He will be expected to form a potent back-three combination with Cory Jane and Julian Savea, and team up with older brother Beauden in the playmaking department.

The siblings may also fight over the goal kicking duties.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd faces tougher selection decisions in the weeks to come after

confirming Milner-skudder and Uhila could have played if pushed.

‘‘If we had been playing at home they may have been considered, but to sit on a long-haul flight with a muscle injury like that was probably not a great idea,’’ Boyd said. ‘‘It’s a long season, so we decided the prudent move was to leave them at home and get them 100 per cent right for our first home game against the Rebels in two weeks.’’

Elsewhere Boyd has named a strong 25-man touring squad that includes all five of the Hurricanes’ 2016 All Blacks; Dane Coles, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea and the elder Barrett.

Three other uncapped Hurricanes also make the trip in loose forward Reed Prinsep, lock James Blackwell, and hooker James O’reilly.