Rugby: Vito to return this week

Victor Vito (left) is returning for the Hurricanes this weekend against the Sharks. Photo / Getty

Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito will return to action on Saturday night when his side hosts the Sharks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The All Black has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury in the round eight victory over the Stormers last month.

He will pull on the No 8 jersey this week, which pushes Brad Shields to the bench, while Blade Thomson will move to the blindside of the scrum in part of a loose forward reshuffle from coach Chris Boyd. Flanker Callum Gibbins has dropped to the reserves to accommodate Thomson.

Elsewhere, prop Chris Eves will make the first start of his Super Rugby career after making 21 previous appearances from the bench as loosehead Reggie Goodes moves to the pine.

"Chris has been with the Hurricanes for years now and he's gone through the wider training group. He's had some really good cameos off the bench for us and deserves his start," Boyd said.

Hooker Dane Coles has also been ruled out with a calf strain, leaving Motu Matu'u to start. Boyd said the injury wasn't serious and he had been left out with an eye to next week's blockbuster against the Chiefs.

"That's precautionary. Unless something goes dramatically wrong between now and then, he'll be back next week."

Boyd has taken the opportunity to rest halfback TJ Perenara and left wing Julian Savea who have been replaced by Chris Smylie and Matt Proctor, respectively.

Perenara and Savea are two of many All Blacks in the Hurricanes who need to sit out two games this season as they build towards the World Cup.

"We've got all the New Zealand games post this so we want to be as strong as we can for those games," Boyd said of his side's remaining schedule.

First-five Beauden Barrett's knee injury gives James Marshall an opportunity at No 10 with New Zealand under-20 vice-captain Otere Black providing cover.

The Sharks are 11th on the Super Rugby standings and were beaten 48-15 by the Highlanders last week. It's a stark contrast to the Hurricanes who have won nine from 10 and sit atop the ladder.

"I think the game against the Highlanders is probably not a fair reflection of what they'll bring in the weekend," Boyd said of the Sharks. "So we know that they'll be very determined."

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Ma'a Nonu, Matt Proctor, James Marshall, Chris Smylie, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Blade Thomson, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Motu Matu'u, Chris Eves. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Reggie Goodes, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Frae Wilson, Otere Black, Rey Lee-Lo