Rugby: Vince Aso ruled out of Hurricanes clash against Blues with wrist injury

Luck just simply is not on Vince Aso's side.

Despite a strong run of form, the Hurricanes utility back found himself outside of the matchday 23 to take on the Lions last week.

An injury to Jordie Barrett saw him join the bench, and in a short stint on the pitch in the 28-19 win, he picked up a wrist injury. And that injury has kept him out of the Hurricanes' squad to face the Blues this Friday in Auckland.

"The unluckiest man on the planet's bad luck continues," coach Chris Boyd said. "We haven't been able to get him in to have an MRI scan until tomorrow, so either way he's not right for the weekend.

"Vince's injury I don't think is going to be short term."

Aso was initially named in the squad to face the Blues, but was replaced by 54-match All Black Julian Savea on the wing.

The switch was a prime example of how nice it must be to have a squad as deep as the Hurricanes' this season.

Jordie Barrett, who was a late withdrawal against the Lions, has recovered well enough from an ankle injury to take a spot on the bench, with his usual No.15 jersey being donned by 11-match All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Barrett is joined on the bench by halfback TJ Perenara, who also makes a return from injury this week. Perenara hasn't played since sustaining a knee injury during the Hurricanes' remarkable comeback win over the Sharks in Napier early last month.

"His attention to detail on his rehab and stuff is just phenomenal," Boyd said of Perenara. "He's a quick healer and makes sure his accuracy around his rehab is spot on."

Finlay Christie, who had been a solid placeholder in the No.9 jersey, will remain in the starting squad with Perenara being eased back in, although Boyd said Perenara "probably, at a pinch, could have played last weekend".

Blade Thompson will also return from injury from the bench for just his fourth appearance of the season.

"It's been a long road for Blade. By his own high standards, he hasn't been able to realise the potential that he has and it's been another frustrating injury for him," Boyd said. "He's ready to go, and we've given him a chance off the bench."

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith.

Reserves: James O'Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Michael Fatialofa, Blade Thompson, TJ Perenara, Ihaia West, Jordie Barrett.