Rugby: Lam to bring up 50 games

Jack Lam. Photo / Getty Images

Jack Lam will bring up 50 matches for the Hurricanes this weekend when his side host the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium.

"Personally, I'm humbled and honoured to reach 50 games, but as a team, this match is huge for us in terms of how the remainder of our season plays out," Lam said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting stuck in and leaving everything out on that field."

Hooker Dane Coles comes back in to the Hurricanes' starting line-up for this Saturday's game after missing last week's 18-16 loss to the Highlanders through injury, while first five-eighth Beauden Barrett has recovered from a hip injury and is expected to start.

Should reserve rake Ash Dixon be deemed unfit in the coming days, Reggie Goodes will provide cover at hooker and Mike Kainga will suit up for the first time as a Hurricane.

In the backs, Tim Bateman has been dropped with Alapati Leiua moving back to second-five.
The Hurricanes need to win to keep their hopes of claiming a playoff spot alive.

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Alapati leiua, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ash Dixon/Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes/Mike Kainga, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Chris Smylie, Tim Bateman, Matt Proctor/James Marshall.