Rugby: Nehe Milner-Skudder returns for Hurricanes

Hurricanes' Nehe Milner-Skudder. Photo / Photosport

Nehe Milner-Skudder will make his return to Super Rugby via the bench on Friday when the Hurricanes face the Sunwolves in Wellington.

The All Blacks wing, sidelined since injuring his shoulder in October, is part of a strong line-up selected by coach Chris Boyd.

Halfback Finlay Christie will make his Hurricanes debut and will have plenty of experience outside him with Beauden Barrett starting inside an exciting midfield pairing of Vince Aso and Matt Proctor.

Boyd has opted to make some changes in the pack from the squad which beat the Chiefs two weeks ago.

Ben May replaces Jeff Toomaga-Allen, while Reed Prinsep comes into the loose forward mix as captain Brad Shields moves to No 8 and Gareth Evans, who has started every match, moves to the bench.

Ardie Savea, who was injured against the Highlanders in March, has been bracketed with Sam Henwood, now recovered from a head knock he suffered early against the Chiefs.

Experienced wing Julian Savea also returns to the starting 15 after he missed the Chiefs match, and will be joined at the back by the competition's leading try-scorer Ben Lam and the in-form Jordie Barrett.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Brad Shields (captain), Ardie Savea or Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith.

Reserves: James O'Reilly, Chris Eves, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Sam Lousi, Gareth Evans, Jamie Booth, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Nehe Milner-Skudder.

-NZN