Rugby: Hurricanes make changes for Cheetahs

James Broadhurst. Photo / Getty Images

James Broadhurst and Charlie Ngatai will make their first starts of the season on Saturday when the Hurricanes host the Cheetahs at Westpac Stadium.

The duo have made five and four appearances respectively off the bench this year.

This will be the Cheetahs last stop on their tour of Australia and New Zealand and the Hurricanes second home game for the season. In their last meeting in 2011 the Hurricanes edged the Cheetahs 50-47 in Bloemfontein.

Karl Lowe has returned from injury to start at openside flanker against the Cheetahs. Lowe played for the Hurricanes Development side last week against Samoa A and will make his first appearance for the Hurricanes since they played the Waratahs in their final round of the competition in 2010.

Jayden Hayward also comes into the 22 for the first time and will be on the bench for Saturday's clash.

The Hurricanes will be searching for their fourth win of the season, after a dramatic victory over the Blues last Friday. The Cheetahs have just one win from five games this season and sit at the bottom of the South African conference.

Hurricanes:
1. Tristan Moran
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4. James Broadhurst
5. Jason Eaton
6. Faifili Levave
7. Karl Lowe
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Conrad Smith (c)
14. Cory Jane
15. Andre Taylor

Reserves:
16. Motu Matu'u
17. Michael Bent
18. Brad Shields
19. Jack Lam
20. Chris Eaton
21. Daniel Kirkpatrick
22. Jayden Hayward