Coles poised to start in semi

Dane Coles sounds like a definite starter, while Vince Aso will be given every chance of joining him.

Stakes don’t get much higher than a Super Rugby semifinal against the Lions in Johannesburg, so the indications are the Hurricanes aren’t going to leave anything up their sleeves.

That means Coles coming back in at hooker, following his 30-minute cameo in the quarterfinal win over the Brumbies, while Aso is poised to replace Jordie Barrett at centre.

That’s not a reflection of Barrett’s two-game stint covering for Aso’s groin tear, more a case of wanting his prodigious boot back at fullback.

The Hurricanes don’t announce their team until Thursday night (NZT) but assistant coach John Plumtree wasn’t about to pretend he had no idea who might be in it.

‘‘There’s a good chance you’ll see him start,’’ Plumtree said of Coles, during a Tuesday night conference call.

‘‘Boydy [head coach Chris Boyd] hasn’t named the side yet but, yeah, he’s good to go.

‘‘He’s got that old spark back and pretty motivated obviously.

‘‘It’s a big game for the club and a big game for him this weekend, being his hundredth.’’

Coles would be the 11th Hurricane to reach that milestone, with wing Julian Savea the most recent.

Not bad for a bloke who a few weeks ago was wondering if he’d ever play again, as his recovery from concussion symptoms stretched into months.

Aso, meanwhile, only joined the team in Sydney on Saturday, after a minor groin tear saw him miss the wins over the Crusaders and Brumbies.

Barrett showed more of his immense promise by deputising successfully for Aso, who the Hurricanes hope to reunite in midfield with Ngani Laumape.