Hurricanes make two changes for Highlanders

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has made two changes to the team that beat the Rebels for this week’s Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Wellington.

Hooker Motu Matu’u comes into the starting line up for All Black hooker Dane Coles who is injured this week.

Tim Bateman also returns to the starting line-up for Alapati Leiua, who will come off the reserves bench.

Loose forward Brad Shields is set to suit up as well, with Hammett choosing to go with a 6-2 split in the replacements this week.

The Highlanders and the Hurricanes sit equal on 30 points, both have won six matches, and both have claimed six bonus points in the process.

The history books also show the two teams have met 22 times during Super Rugby, winning 11 games each.

Hurricanes

1. Ben Franks,2. Motu Matu’u,3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen,4. Jeremy Thrush,5. James Broadhurst,6. Faifili Levave,7. Jack Lam,8. Victor Vito,9. TJ Perenara,10. Beauden Barrett,11. Julian Savea,12. Tim Bateman,13. Conrad Smith (c),14. Cory Jane,15. Andre Taylor

Replacements :16. Ash Dixon,17. Chris Eves,18. Reggie Goodes,19. Blade Thomson,20. Ardie Savea,21. Brad Shields,22. Chris Smylie,23. Alapati Leiua