All Black recovers for long-awaited return for Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have been boosted by the long-awaited return of an All Black.

Nehe Milner-Skudder will come via the bench on Friday night to face the Sunwolves after more than seven months on the sideline following a serious shoulder injury.

Halfback Finlay Christie will make his debut for the Hurricanes and will have plenty of experience outside him with Beauden Barrett starting inside an exciting midfield pairing of Vince Aso and Matt Proctor.

Boyd has opted to make some changes in the pack from the squad who beat the Chiefs a fortnight earlier with Ben May coming in for Jeff Toomaga-Allen while Reed Prinsep comes into the loose forward mix with captain Brad Shields moving to No 8 as Gareth Evans, who has started every match, moves to the bench.

Ardie Savea, who was injured against the Highlanders in March, has been bracketed with Sam Henwood who has recovered from a head knock he suffered early against the Chiefs.

Experienced wing Julian Savea also returns to the starting XV after he missed the Chiefs match and will be joined at the back by the competition’s leading try scorer Ben Lam and in-form Jordie Barrett.

There is plenty of quality on the bench which will feature the return of Milner-Skudder from a long-term shoulder injury while Jackson Garden-Bachop replaces Ihaia West.

Second five-eighth Ngani Laumape and lock Vaea Fifita have been given the week off.

Kick-off at Westpac Stadium is 7.35pm.

The Hurricanes squad to face the Sunwolves is:

15 Jordie Barrett
14 Julian Savea
13 Matt Proctor
12 Vince Aso
11 Ben Lam
10 Beauden Barrett
9 Finlay Christie
8 Brad Shields (c)
7 Ardie Savea or Sam Henwood
6 Reed Prinsep
5 Murray Douglas
4 Michael Fatialofa
3 Ben May
2 Ricky Riccitelli
1 Toby Smith

Reserves

16 James O’Reilly
17 Chris Eves
18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
19 Sam Lousi
20 Gareth Evans
21 Jamie Booth
22 Jackson Garden-Bachop
23 Nehe Milner-Skudder