KEY POINTS:
The Hurricanes have dropped prop Neemia Tialata and shifted Ma'a Nonu to the midfield among three changes made to for their Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls this weekend.
Nonu has been used exclusively on the wing this season but will start at second five-eighth against the defending champions at Pretoria on Sunday morning (NZ time).
He shifts in to displace Tane Tuipulotu, who has missed out on the 22 altogether as coach Colin Cooper named a 5-2 forward-backs split on his reserve bench. Hosea Gear returns on Nonu's right wing.
All Blacks tighthead Tialata has possibly paid the price for an indisciplined display in the 13-13 draw with the Sharks last weekend, making way for Tim Fairbrother.
Tialata gave away several needless penalties, one of which resulted in a yellow card, and is downgraded to the bench.
The other starting change sees Jeremy Thrush replace Craig Clarke at lock.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has named an unchanged team from the lineup who lost 14-15 to the Western Force in Perth last weekend.
The Bulls return home from a nightmare Australasian tour that saw them lose all four games - to the Force, Queensland Reds, Chiefs and Blues.
Hurricanes
Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger. Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Neemia Tialata, Jacob Ellison, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Alby Mathewson, Tamati Ellison
Bulls
Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Pedrie Wannenburg, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Werner Kruger, Jaco Engels, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heini Adams, Morne Steyn, Deon Stegmann
- NZPA
