Nehe Milner-Skudder will make his Hurricanes comeback via the bench in Saturday night's round 15 clash with the Western Force in Perth.
The find of the 2015 season has had to be patient, having broken two bones in his foot on March 10 against the Chiefs in Hamilton. Since then, as the days have turned into weeks and into months, he has seen his chances of playing the Lions recede. But his return is timely, a chance to make an impression against the Force and then the Chiefs on June 9. In his favour is the fact that Israel Dagg, with whom he is possibly fighting for an All Blacks berth, was tentative in his Crusaders comeback last weekend and is now benched for Saturday's clash with the Highlanders.
"It's great to have Nehe back in the mix. I know he's worked extremely hard during his rehab and he can't wait to pull on the Hurricanes jersey and get back into the campaign," says Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said.
Beauden Barrett, too, returns after missing the victory over the Bulls. Boyd says he passed his concussion protocols and satisfied the medical team he was symptom-free and ready to play.
Cory Jane replaces Wes Goosen, who injured his shoulder, on the right wing, while Ben Lam, who has made a considerable impact off the bench in the last two games after taking out frustrations on hapless Swindale Shield club defences for Tawa, suits up in the No 11 jersey, keeping Julian Savea's 100th Hurricanes appearance on ice for another week.
