Hurricanes light on front-rowers

Tighthead Ben Franks is out with an Achilles problem. Photo / Getty

Injury and suspension has forced the Hurricanes to select a new-look front-row for Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.

Tighthead Ben Franks has an Achilles problem, which isn't major but has forced him to sit out, while No 1 Reggie Goodes is suspended following an act of foul play during last weekend's win over the Chiefs in Wellington.

These issues mean Chris Eves will start at loosehead prop on Saturday, while Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will wear the No 3 jersey.

Veteran Ben May and Hawke's Bay's Tolu Fahamokioa will provide prop cover from the bench and the latter would make his Super Rugby debut if required. Dane Coles will start at hooker after playing from the pine last week.

Centre Conrad Smith will skip the game as he and completes his second mandatory rest for international players, which leaves Rey Lee-Lo to start at centre with Willis Halaholo joining the bench as cover.

Lee-Lo has made a handful of appearances this season in relief for Smith and Nonu and Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said the Samoan international had proven to be a reliable option.

"He's got great feet and he's optimistic in the way he plays," Boyd said. "He's a handful to defend and he's a good defender."

Jeremy Thrush will captain the side with Smith out of action and the lock said there wouldn't be much that would change this week other than his responsibility of talking to the referee.

"I've just got to make sure I'm calm and composed when I do it," Thrush said.

"Something I've kind of learned over the years is that there's a right way to talk to a referee and a wrong way."

Thrush has also been impressed with the development of his locking partner James Broadhurst who has put together an eye-catching campaign in 2015.

"He's been round for a little while and I've always seen patches of it but I think this year he's really put it all together, which is awesome. He's a pretty big unit so to have a body like that running around and moving things and being able to carry the ball like that is beneficial to our team."

The Hurricanes, who have won 11 from 12 this season, lead the Super Rugby standings and are on track to claim home advantage for the playoffs, providing they can win two of their four remaining games.

The Blues have struggled this year and have won only three matches to go alongside 10 losses. They've endured a mounting injury toll in recent weeks and will come in to this game as underdogs, despite their perfect three-from-three record at Eden Park this season.

"They've got some wonderfully gifted athletes," Boyd said of the Blues. "George Moala is a handful, Francis Saili's a handful. They've got guys that, individually, can kill you if you don't get the systems right and I don't think that's changed."

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, James Marshall, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Blade Thomson, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush (c), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Chris Eves. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mark Abbott/Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Otere Black, Willis Halaholo.