Lam to win 50th Hurricanes cap against Chiefs

The Hurricanes have named their team to played the Chiefs in Wellington this weekend with Jack Lam earning his 50th cap for the Super Rugby franchise.

Lam said clocking up a win on his 50th match would not only be an achievement for him, but the Hurricanes club as a whole.

“Personally, I’m humbled and honoured to reach 50 games, but as a team, this match is huge for us in terms of how the remainder of our season plays out.

“I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in and leaving everything out on that field.”

Hooker Dane Coles comes back in to the Hurricanes’ starting line-up after a week’s injury break, while first five-eighth Beauden Barrett has recovered well from a hip injury and is expected to start against the Chiefs.

Should Ash Dixon be deemed unfit in the coming days, Reggie Goodes will provide cover at hooker, and Mike Kainga will suit up for the first time as a Hurricane.

Hurricanes

1. Ben Franks,2. Dane Coles,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. Alapati Leiua,13. Conrad Smith (c),14. Cory Jane,15. Andre Taylor

Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon/Reggie Goodes,17. Chris Eves,18. Reggies Goodes/Mike Kainga,19. Brad Shields,20. Ardie Savea,21. Chris Smylie,22. Tim Bateman,23. Matt Proctor/James Marshall