Sport

Black starts again for Hurricanes

19:22 pm on 27 May 2015

The young Manawatu first-five Otere Black has been retained in the Hurricanes number 10 jersey for their Super Rugby game against the Crusaders in Nelson on Friday night.

Black, a New Zealand under-20 representative, got a late callup for last weekend's game over the Blues.

Captain Conrad Smith returns after a week off with coach Chris Boyd retaining the rest of the backline used in the win over the Blues.

Reggie Goodes returns from suspension to start at prop, lock James Broadhurst returns after injury, while Brad Shields returns to the loose with Victor Vito dropping to the reserves.

Having equalled Tana Umaga's record as the most capped Hurricane last week, Ma'a Nonu will be the sole holder of that record when he takes to Trafalgar Park.

The Nelson match against the Crusaders will be Nonu's 123rd for the Hurricanes, while teammate Jeremy Thrush will equal Andrew Hore's record as the most capped forward, having played 106 matches.

The Hurricanes have a 13-point lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings and need 3 points to secure home field advantage in the play-offs.

The team to face the Crusaders in Nelson, kick-off 7.35pm is;

1. Reggie Goodes

2. Dane Coles

3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen

4. Jeremy Thrush

5. James Broadhurst

6. Brad Shields

7. Ardie Savea

8. Blade Thomson

9. TJ Perenara

10. Otere Black

11. Julian Savea

12. Ma'a Nonu

13. Conrad Smith

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder

15. James Marshall

Reserves

16. Motu Matu'u

17. Ben May

18. Ben Franks

19. Mark Abbott

20. Victor Vito

21. Chris Smylie

22. Rey Lee-Lo

23. Matt Proctor