Ma’a Nonu’s powerful breaking runs have proved too decisive in recent matches for Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper to ignore so he returns to the Hurricanes team after serving his suspension.
Nonu will start on the wing and the Hurricanes are further boosted by the return of prop John Schwalger who also starts in the ‘Canes crunch match against the Crusaders in Wellington on Friday.
Nonu missed the Hurricanes match against the Brumbies two weeks ago, where they beat the Brumbies 33-15, after he picked up a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
Schwalger also missed out on the trip to Canberra as he had a back injury.
With Nonu returning to the team Shannon Paku switches to the right wing while Hosea Gear drops into the reserves.
Jacob Ellison drops out of the 22-man squad for Schwalger and Tim Fairbrother is named in the the reserves.
The Hurricanes are sitting in fifth place on the league table after four wins and one loss (to the Waratahs) but as they had the bye last week they effectively have a game in hand.
Hurricanes Team:
15 Cory Jane, 14 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Shannon Paku, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo (c), 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Neemia Tialata 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
