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Cape Town - Super Rugby's leading try scorer Vince Aso and the Savea brothers, Ardie and Julian, will return to the Hurricanes starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Blues in Auckland.
Kick-off is at 09:35 (SA time).
Aso will start at outside centre in place of Matt Proctor, who will miss
the match due to concussion, while Julian Savea reclaims his place on
the left wing after being given a week off to recharge his batteries.
The backline re-jig means Cory Jane shifts into the reserves with Wes
Goosen switching to the right wing following a strong performance
against the Waratahs.
In the forwards, Ardie Savea returns at No 8 two weeks after
straining his calf against the Reds in Brisbane, pushing Reed Prinsep
back to the reserves where he takes the place of Toa Halafihi.
Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles remains on ice, a sore calf delaying his
return from the knee strain he picked up three weeks ago against the
Highlanders.
Aso and the Savea brothers have collectively scored 16 tries during the
Hurricanes opening six matches of the season. Aso is the competition's
equal leading try scorer alongside inside centre Ngani Laumape.
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said the selections had been fairly straight forward.
"Julian and Vince have both been in great form this season and we always
expected them to return to the starting side for the Blues and Wes
demanded selection after taking his opportunity against the Waratahs,"
he explained.
"Matty Proctor picked up a fairly minor head knock, so he wasn't
considered and he'll go through the necessary concussion protocols.
We're lucky that Vince is equally comfortable at centre as he is on the
wing."
Teams:
Blues
15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16 Matt
Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Akira
Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 George Moala
Hurricanes
15
Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11
Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Ardie
Savea, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark
Abbott, 3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ben May
Substitutes:
16 Leni Apisai, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Reed
Prinsep, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Cory Jane
