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Wellington - Tana Umaga is set to make his much anticipated return to the Cake Tin after being named in the Chiefs' starting team to take on the Hurricanes on Saturday.
The former All Blacks captain missed out on making an appearance in the capital during the ITM Cup after deciding to sit out Counties Manukau's trip to Wellington.
But that emotional trip to the Cake Tin is on this weekend, with Chiefs coach Ian Foster naming him in the No 12 jersey for the game and he will mark Vodacom Super Rugby newcomer Jayden Hayward.
Despite leaving Wellington in 2007 to embark on a coaching and playing career with Toulon in the South of France, he remains an icon for Hurricanes and Lions fans and his presence in the game is sure to be a factor in encouraging spectators to come along.
Foster has made just one change to the starting line-up, with Counties Manukau's Tim Nanai-Williams replacing the injured Mils Muliaina at fullback.
The Chiefs captain is out for the next four weeks, picking up a slight fracture in his back in the game against the Melbourne Rebels last week.
Jackson Willison takes Nanai-Williams' place on the bench while Fritz Lee is on the bench, with Steven Setephano making way for the powerful No 8.
The Chiefs haven't had the best of times in Wellington, not winning there since 2001 when they triumphed 51-27, but Foster says the good win against the Rebels last week has put the team into good spirits.
"Westpac Stadium has always been a tough place to win but we go there with confidence from having three tough games under our belt," Foster said.
"It has been a light week with a number of players sore after Saturday's game but we are keen to continue our progress from last week.
"It's been disappointing to lose Mils but we are happy with the overall condition of the squad and we are confident in the leadership of the team with our core group going well."
The Hurricanes meanwhile have named two Super rugby newcomers in their lineup.
Hayward's inclusion means the Hurricanes will have two Super rugby newcomers in their squad with the other, Charlie Ngatai, named on the bench.
The Hurricanes' injury roster includes a bevy of unavailable players, ranging from All Backs halfback Piri Weepu - still in long-term recovery mode from the ankle injury he suffered last year - through Karl Lowe (knee), Hosea Gear (shoulder), Jeremy Thrush (calf), Rodney So'oialo (lower back) and Alapati Leiua (knee).
It will be the Hurricanes' first game since their season-opening loss 9-14 to the Highlanders on February 18.
Teams
Hurricanes
15. Cory Jane, 14. Julian Savea, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Jayden Hayward, 11. Andre Taylor, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jack Lam, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. James Broadhurst, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (captain), 1. John Schwalger
Substitutes: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Mark Reddish, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22. Charlie Ngatai
Chiefs
15. Tim Nanai-Williams, 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Dwayne Sweeney, 12. Tana Umaga, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Liam Messam (captain), 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Scott Waldrom, 5. Isaac Ross, 4. Craig Clarke, 3. Nathan White, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 1. Ben May
Substitutes: 16. Hika Elliot, 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Romana Graham, 19. Fritz Lee, 20. Taniela Moa, 21. Mike Delany, 22. Jackson Willison
The former All Blacks captain missed out on making an appearance in the capital during the ITM Cup after deciding to sit out Counties Manukau's trip to Wellington.
But that emotional trip to the Cake Tin is on this weekend, with Chiefs coach Ian Foster naming him in the No 12 jersey for the game and he will mark Vodacom Super Rugby newcomer Jayden Hayward.
Despite leaving Wellington in 2007 to embark on a coaching and playing career with Toulon in the South of France, he remains an icon for Hurricanes and Lions fans and his presence in the game is sure to be a factor in encouraging spectators to come along.
Foster has made just one change to the starting line-up, with Counties Manukau's Tim Nanai-Williams replacing the injured Mils Muliaina at fullback.
The Chiefs captain is out for the next four weeks, picking up a slight fracture in his back in the game against the Melbourne Rebels last week.
Jackson Willison takes Nanai-Williams' place on the bench while Fritz Lee is on the bench, with Steven Setephano making way for the powerful No 8.
The Chiefs haven't had the best of times in Wellington, not winning there since 2001 when they triumphed 51-27, but Foster says the good win against the Rebels last week has put the team into good spirits.
"Westpac Stadium has always been a tough place to win but we go there with confidence from having three tough games under our belt," Foster said.
"It has been a light week with a number of players sore after Saturday's game but we are keen to continue our progress from last week.
"It's been disappointing to lose Mils but we are happy with the overall condition of the squad and we are confident in the leadership of the team with our core group going well."
The Hurricanes meanwhile have named two Super rugby newcomers in their lineup.
Hayward's inclusion means the Hurricanes will have two Super rugby newcomers in their squad with the other, Charlie Ngatai, named on the bench.
The Hurricanes' injury roster includes a bevy of unavailable players, ranging from All Backs halfback Piri Weepu - still in long-term recovery mode from the ankle injury he suffered last year - through Karl Lowe (knee), Hosea Gear (shoulder), Jeremy Thrush (calf), Rodney So'oialo (lower back) and Alapati Leiua (knee).
It will be the Hurricanes' first game since their season-opening loss 9-14 to the Highlanders on February 18.
Teams
Hurricanes
15. Cory Jane, 14. Julian Savea, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Jayden Hayward, 11. Andre Taylor, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jack Lam, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. James Broadhurst, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (captain), 1. John Schwalger
Substitutes: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Mark Reddish, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22. Charlie Ngatai
Chiefs
15. Tim Nanai-Williams, 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Dwayne Sweeney, 12. Tana Umaga, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Liam Messam (captain), 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Scott Waldrom, 5. Isaac Ross, 4. Craig Clarke, 3. Nathan White, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 1. Ben May
Substitutes: 16. Hika Elliot, 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Romana Graham, 19. Fritz Lee, 20. Taniela Moa, 21. Mike Delany, 22. Jackson Willison
