Rugby: Gareth Evans and Geoff Cridge to start for Hurricanes

Gareth Evans gives the Hurricanes a rev up during their win against the Sharks in Napier last year. Photo / File

All Blacks No 8 Gareth Evans is one of seven Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby players in the Hurricanes team for tomorrow's pre-season clash against the Crusaders in Levin.

While Evans and lock Geoff Cridge will start against the defending champions, hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes, prop Ben May, loosie Devan Flanders and outside backs Jonah Lowe and Danny Toala are likely to get game time off the subs bench. Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree has named a squad of 38 players for the match.

The game, one of two pre season fixtures scheduled before the Hurricanes open their Super Rugby campaign against the Waratahs in Sydney on February 16, will provide Plumtree with a great opportunity to see how the players have progressed since they started their conditioning work back in November.

A number of experienced players have been named to start at the Levin Domain, including two Super Rugby centurion props, Toby Smith and Jeff To'omaga-Allen.

Former Highlanders playmaker Fletcher Smith will start at first five-eighth outside halfback Finlay Christie while the midfield has an exciting look to it with Vince Aso and Matt Proctor selected.

Ben Lam, who really impressed last season scoring a record 16 tries, is on one wing with Wes Goosen on the other.

The match, which will feature rolling substitutions, will be played over two 40 minute halves. The reserves bench features a mix of Hurricanes squad members and players who have been training with the group after impressing in the Mitre 10 Cup and national under-19 tournament.

While the Hurricanes other All Blacks will not play in the match they will be travelling with the squad and will be available at the Levin Domain from 2pm to mix with their fans and sign autographs.

That group includes Hurricanes captain Dane Coles, who said he was excited about the opportunity to bring the squad back to Horowhenua Kapiti for the first time since 2014.

"I've seen how hard the guys have been training and I know how much they are looking forward to actually getting out and playing," he said.

"I know the boys will enjoy the hospitality while the fans will get to see two really quality teams."

The game will also see new Hurricanes assistant coach Carlos Spencer return to his home town where he was expecting plenty of support.

"I've been down to the domain to have a look and I can't believe how good the ground is looking, it's the best I've ever seen it," he said.

The Hurricanes squad for the 3pm game:
15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Geoff Cridge, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith.
Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 James O'Reilly, 18 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 19 Ben May, 20 Chris Eves, 21 Alex Fidow, 22 Fraser Armstrong, 23 Xavier Numia, 24 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 25 Liam Mitchell, 26 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 27 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 28 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 29 Devan Flanders, 30 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 31 Jono Hickey, 32 Carlos Price, 33 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 34 Danny Toala, 35 Billy Proctor, 36 Jonah Lowe, 37 Salesi Rayasi, 38 Callum Harkin.