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WELLINGTON - Tamati Ellison will lead a Hurricanes team which includes All Blacks midfielders Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu on the reserve bench for tomorrow's Super 14 rugby match against the Highlanders.
Centre Smith has overcome a groin injury but is being eased back, while second five-eighths Nonu will sit alongside him, relegated after a sub-par outing in the opening-round loss to the New South Wales Waratahs.
Ellison remains at centre and will lead the team for the first time, linking in the midfield with Jason Kawau.
There are at least five changes to the Hurricanes, including Victor Vito replacing captain Rodney So'oialo at No 8 while the latter serves a one-match suspension for rucking to the head of Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh.
Former sevens star Vito will become the 150th player to play for the Hurricanes.
Two other starting changes see exciting winger David Smith replace Zac Guildford, while Jeremy Thrush comes in at lock for Bryn Evans.
For the Highlanders, midfielder Jason Shoemark, 28, captains the side after injuries to captain Jimmy Cowan and vice-captain Jamie Mackintosh ruled out the All Black pair.
Sean Romans, who will make his run-on debut against the Hurricanes, replaces Cowan at halfback and Chris King comes in for prop Mackintosh.
Wing Fetu'u Vainikolo, who faces a misconduct hearing, is bracketed with Kendrick Lynn.
- NZPA
