The Hurricanes have selected All Blacks backs Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape and Nehe Milner-Skudder to face the British & Irish Lions in the final midweek game of the Lions tour of New Zealand.
Savea, who has scored 46 tries for the All Blacks, will have a point to prove having been omitted from the New Zealand team that beat the Lions in the opening Test on Saturday, while 53-capped All Black Cory Jane will look to make his mark from the replacement bench.
Savea, Barrett, Laumape and flanker Vaea Fifita were all released by Steve Hansen for the clash, with Fifita, capped for the All Blacks for the first time against Samoa, joined in the pack by Captain, No. 8 Brad Shields and Maori All Black prop Ben May.
"We are under no illusions as to the challenge The British & Irish Lions will present and we want to put our best foot forward for what promises to be a memorable occasion," said Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd. "It's a fantastic event for our club, but also for the city of Wellington and the region, so hopefully the match will live up to its billing. We are looking forward to kick off."
Hurricanes team: J Barrett; Milner-Skudder, Aso, Laumape, Savea. Black, Tahuriorangi. May, Riccitelli, To'omaga-Allen; Abbott, Lousi; Fifita, Gibbins, Shields.
Replacements: Apisai, Eves, Kainga, Blackwell, Prinsep, Hauiti-Parapara, Goosen, Jane.
