Rugby: Thrush to mark milestone

Hurricane's Captain Jeremy Thrush. Photo / Darren Taumata.

Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush will make his 100th appearance for the franchise when they host the Waratahs at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

Thrush, who will turn 30 on Sunday and will head offshore at the end of the year to join English club Gloucester, will become the seventh Hurricane to reach the milestone. The 11-test All Black made his debut for the Hurricanes in 2008 and has scored nine tries for the side.

He will be part of a Hurricanes forward pack on Saturday that has a handful of changes from their 25-20 win against the Stormers in Wellington two weeks ago. Chris Boyd's side had the bye last week.

Openside flanker Ardie Savea has returned from a finger injury and will partner Callum Gibbins and No 8 Brad Shields in a new-look loose trio.

The versatile Blade Thomson remains unavailable due to concussion, while loose forward Victor Vito (calf) is also in the medical ward. Hooker Dane Coles (elbow) is out too, leaving Motu Matu'u to wear the No 2 jersey.

The Hurricanes are yet to taste defeat this season and lead the Super Rugby standings, while the 4-3 Waratahs are in 10th. Gibbins said the Waratahs would present a physical challenge.

"I think we are going to stick with what we are good at because against the Stormers we probably went away from that in the second half and they put a lot of pressure on us and a couple of missed tackles led to a few tries," Gibbins said.

"So we are going to stick with what we do best and hopefully that will work."

In the backs, pivot Beauden Barrett needs only 10 points to become the most prolific Hurricane and can pass David Holwell's franchise mark of 676 points.

Boyd has named a full-strength backline with dangerous wings Cory Jane and Julian Savea included, while midfield pairing Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are also on deck.
Bench halfback Chris Smylie (calf) is out, which gives Frae Wilson a rare chance on the pine to play behind No 9 TJ Perenara.

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Motu Matu'u, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Adam Hill, Frae Wilson, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall