Welcome news for Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are confident Tana Umaga will be fit for selection for this weekend's Rebel Sport Super 12 match against the Sharks in Durban.

Umaga left the field with a leg injury during the tsunami charity match last Sunday at Twickenham, but trained with his teammates on Wednesday morning in South Africa.

However, coach Colin Cooper says we will have to wait until he names the team to know if Umaga will start the game.

He says they will have a look at Umaga again before making any definite selection.

Cooper says he has good back-up in the midfield if Umaga does not make the cut.

However, openside flanker Ben Herring says Umaga's availability is a major boost for the team.

Herring says the players gain a lot of confidence under the leadership of the All Blacks skipper.

- NEWSTALK ZB