Cory Jane has been ruled out of the Hurricanes Super Rugby semifinal against the Brumbies with a hamstring injury.
The All Blacks wing's absence means Nehe Milner-Skudder will start on the right wing with in form utility James Marshall continuing at fullback.
Jane's failure to recover from the injury he aggravated in the final match of the regular season against the Chiefs in New Plymouth two weeks ago continues a frustrating run for the veteran wing
However, it is the only disruption for coach Chris Boyd, who has named an otherwise full strength team to play in front of an expected sell-out crowd at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Crucially, first five-eighth Beauden Barrett has put the knee injury that kept him out of the last regular season match against the Chiefs behind him and will start in the No 10 jersey.
Brad Shields wins the hotly contested starting spot at blindside flanker ahead of Blade Thomson, who has recovered from an ankle injury.
Thomson takes his place on a reserves bench bolstered by the return of wing Matt Proctor, who has been out since suffering concussion against the Crusaders in Nelson.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has yet to name his side for the semifinal, the first at Westpac Stadium since the Hurricanes played the Waratahs 2006.
Second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu is the only survivor from that match still in the Hurricanes squad and continues his partnership with captain Conrad Smith in the midfield.
Hurricanes: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith (c) , Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris Eves, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor
- The Dominion Post
