Rugby: Weepu, Hore to start

Piri Weepu. Photo / Getty Images

Starting roles for halfback Piri Weepu and regular captain Andrew Hore are features of the Hurricanes team named today for a Super 15 rugby match against the Lions in Wellington on Saturday.

Halfback Weepu will start his first match of the season after coming off the reserves bench in the last couple of matches following a long rehabilitation from a broken leg.

Hore, who played a bench role in the 34-28 win over Western Force in Palmerston North last week, replaces Dane Coles at hooker, with Coles demoted to the bench.

Coach Mark Hammett has delayed making a decision on centre Conrad Smith after the All Black sprained an ankle against the Force.

Smith will play on Saturday if cleared by medical staff but in the meantime he has been bracketed with Jayden Hayward.

Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith/Jayden Hayward, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger. Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish, Chris Eaton, Hayward/Julian Savea, Richard Buckman.

- NZPA