Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Dane Coles will captain the Hurricanes for the first time this weekend when Chris Boyd's side meet the Western Force in Perth.
Regular skipper Conrad Smith has been given a rest for the 2-0 Hurricanes who are making their way home from a successful start to the season in South
Africa following victories over the Lions and the Bulls.
Smith's week off - he will be replaced by Rey Lee-Lo at centre - is one of a number of changes that Boyd has made to his side. James Marshall comes in at fullback with Jason Woodward dropping out of the squad completely; Nehe Milner-Skudder has been added to the bench and would make his Super Rugby debut if he was to get on the field. Veteran halfback Chris Smylie will start with TJ Perenara reverting to the pine.
No 8 Victor Vito will start with Blade Thomson moving to lock, which pushes second-rower Mark Abbott to the reserves. Openside flanker Ardie Savea will wear the No 7 jersey with Callum Gibbins dropping back to the bench.
The match kicks off at nib Stadium in Perth on Saturday at 12am (NZT).
