'Canes Cooper rings changes

Johannesburg - Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has made six changes to his starting line-up for the match against the defending Super 14 champion Bulls in Pretoria.

VIDEO: Cory Jane concussed against Stormers

Cooper responded to the 37-13 loss to the Stormers by dropping prop Jacob Ellison, lock Bryn Evans, All Blacks scrumhalf Piri Weepu and winger David Smith to the bench for Friday's daunting task.

Flanker Scott Waldrom was left out of the 22-man squad completely and fullback Corey Jane has returned to New Zealand after being concussed.

John Schwalger, Jeremy Thrush and Karl Lowe were brought into the forwards. Tyson Keats has replaced Weepu. Alapati Leiua was named on the left wing in place of Smith, who is the joint leader in the competition with five tries.

Andre Taylor has replaced Jane. The All Blacks back was stretchered off the field after receiving a blow to the head against the Stormers.

The Hurricanes have lost both their games in South Africa following an unbeaten start to the season. The Bulls match is their last of their South Africa leg.

Teams:

Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van der Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard; 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Derick Kuün, 20. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg

Hurricanes:
15. Andre Taylor, 14. Tamati Ellison, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Tyson Keats, 8. Rodney So’oialo, 7. Karl Lowe, 6. Victor Vito, 5. Michael Paterson, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (captain), 1. John Schwalger

Substitutes: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Bryn Evans, 19. Nick Crosswell, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. David Smith