Rugby: Murray Douglas gets first start for Hurricanes in place of injured Vaea Fifita

Murray Douglas will make his first start for the Hurricanes this weekend. Photo / Photosport

An injury to Vaea Fifita has seen Scottish lock Murray Douglas handed his first start for the Hurricanes.

Murray will partner Sam Lousi in the second row in Saturday's clash against the Highlanders in Wellington, with Fifita held out due to a minor shoulder injury.

The 28-year-old has played just 19 minutes for the Hurricanes after joining from the Rebels at the start of the year, and finds himself in one of the game's many important head to head battles.

Aside from the star matchups across both teams' spines, the ascendancy at lineout time could be a factor in the outcome.

Heading into the match, both the Hurricanes and Highlanders have shown their preference to running the football and keeping it in play. However, they had been susceptible to stolen lineouts, collecting their own throws at 87 and 84 per cent respectively.

They've both shown they're more than capable of stealing possession at the set piece, too, with the Hurricanes winning an opponent's throw 44 times to the Highlanders' 36.

The addition of Douglas was the only change to the starting side that beat the Crusaders two weeks ago, with the bye last week giving the side a chance to refresh, however coach Chris Boyd made two changes on the bench.

Loose forward Reed Prinsep comes in for Blade Thomson and tighthead prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen returns from injury at the expense of Marcel Renata.

Three points separate the two sides on the table, with the Highlanders yet to be beaten this season. The Hurricanes, however, seem to have regathered themselves after a dismal showing in their opening round loss to the Bulls and come into the game on the back of two wins.

They home side will also likely be buoyed by halfback TJ Perenara bringing up his 100th game for the club when he runs out onto the pitch on Saturday night.

Perenara will be the 13th Hurricanes player to reach 100 games for the club as he follows Dane Coles, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Tana Umaga, Victor Vito and Beauden Barrett - who brought up the milestone against the Crusaders.

Hurricanes: Chris Eves, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Murray Douglas, Sam Lousi, Brad Shields (c), Ardie Savea, Gareth Evans, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett.

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Michael Fatialofa, Reed Prinsep, Richard Judd, Ihaia West, Vince Aso.