Rugby: Black starts again at No 10

Otere Black will wear the No 10 jersey for the league-leading Hurricanes when they meet the Crusaders on Friday night. Photo / Getty Images.

Otere Black will wear the No 10 jersey for the league-leading Hurricanes when they meet the Crusaders in Nelson on Friday night.

The 20-year-old made his first Super Rugby start during last Saturday's 29-5 victory over the Blues at Eden Park and was generally impressive with his game management and composure. He was also reliable in defence and accurate from the kicking tee.

With regular pivot Beauden Barrett (knee) injured and utility James Marshall selected at fullback this week, Black has been given another opportunity.

"For a young man, he's got a massively mature head on him, so we were encouraged," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said of Black's performance against the Blues.

Boyd has made minimal changes to his backs from the side who beat the Blues with only skipper Conrad Smith returning at centre after the All Black sat out last week's match as he completed his second mandatory rest of the season.

All Black wing Cory Jane will sit out for another week as he rests a sore hamstring. Outside back Matt Proctor has been picked on the bench to meet the Crusaders after overcoming a recent ankle injury.

Barrett did his own running drills at Rugby League Park in Newtown today and Boyd said he could return to meet the Highlanders in Napier next Friday.

"He's getting there, but certainly it's not this week. We think that it's reasonably likely that it'll be next week," Boyd said.

Boyd has made changes in the forwards with prop Reggie Goodes (suspension) and lock James Broadhurst (knee) returning to the starting pack, while Ben Franks (rest) will join the bench. Blade Thomson will also start at No 8 with Victor Vito playing from the pine.

"I don't want to overplay anybody, going forward," Boyd said. "So Victor comes off the bench this week and he won't come off the bench next week. He'll play next week.

"It's just to manage their loads and keep everybody fresh."

The Hurricanes can lock up top spot in Super Rugby with victory on Friday, which would grant them home advantage for the playoffs; the game is a must-win for the Crusaders who are only a mathematical chance of making the finals.

Boyd said his side hadn't run through the calculations as they edged toward the playoffs.

"We are just the same. It's the Crusaders in Nelson and we are just preparing to play that game and the consequence of a win or a loss, we are not talking about. We just want to do the best we can."

Despite the various injury concerns that have robbed the Crusaders of All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Israel Dagg, Colin Slade, Joe Moody and Kieran Read for this week's game, Boyd said they would still present a great challenge.

"You'd be pretty stupid to take a Crusaders team lightly, especially one that's wounded."

Second-five Ma'a Nonu will also overtake Tana Umaga as the most-capped Hurricane this week as he makes his 123rd appearance for the franchise, while teammate Jeremy Thrush will equal Andrew Hore's record as the most-capped forward, having played 106 matches.

Hurricanes: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith (c), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Otere Black, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes.

Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Ben Franks, Mark Abbott, Victor Vito, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor.