A knee injury has kept Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata out of the match against the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images
Injuries have forced the Hurricanes to make four changes to their Super 14 rugby team to face the Highlanders at Dunedin tomorrow night.
Changes to the forwards see two All Blacks make way, with prop Neemia Tialata suffering a knee strain and flanker Chris Masoe a knee injury.
Tim Fairbrother comes in at prop, with Scott Waldrom on the openside flank.
In the backs, Tamati Ellison returns from two weeks on the sideline with a bruised thigh to play at second five-eighth in place of Tane Tu'ipulotu while Shannon Paku starts at fullback in place of Cory Jane who injured his hip in the 39-19 win over the Chiefs at Wellington last Friday.
Jane's injury breaks a run of 16 consecutive games at Hurricanes fullback since his debut in the first round last year.
His absence is covered by Tu'ipulotu who remains in the playing 22 on the bench.
Scott Waldrom's brother, Thomas, returns to the bench as loose forward cover, while Tamati Ellison's brother and specialist loosehead prop Jacob is named in the reserves as front row cover.
Hurricanes
Shannon Paku, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Scott Waldrom, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Craig Clarke, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Jacob Ellison, Jeremy Thrush, Thomas Waldrom, Alby Mathewson, Willie Ripia, Tane Tu'ipulotu
- NZPA
