Rugby: Jane out for semifinal clash

The Hurricanes will be without wing Cory Jane for their semifinal clash with the Brumbies. Photo / File.

The Hurricanes will be without wing Cory Jane for their semifinal clash with the Brumbies in Wellington on Saturday night.

Jane has been limited by a hamstring injury lately and did return to action in the Hurricanes' final match of the regular season against the Chiefs two weeks ago but lasted only 18 minutes before he left the field and hasn't recovered sufficiently.

The All Black is a reliable defender and safe under the high ball but in his absence, new international Nehe Milner-Skudder will play on the right wing. James Marshall will start at fullback. Matt Proctor has recovered from a recent concussion to join the bench as cover.

After missing the clash against the Chiefs with a minor calf niggle, Beauden Barrett will start at pivot, which provides the side with a steady hand at first-five.

Versatile forward Blade Thomson will return to the bench after being laboured with an ankle problem recently.

The table-topping Hurricanes will earn the right to host the Super Rugby final - against either the Waratahs or the Highlanders - if they are to win this weekend.

The last time they hosted a semifinal was in 2006 when they beat the Waratahs 16-14.

Veteran second-five Ma'a Nonu is the only current Hurricane who played in that match.
The Hurricanes have opened as favourites this week, which is in part due to their dominance during the regular season where they won 14 from 16 matches, while the Brumbies have endured a tough travel schedule after beating the Stormers in Cape Town in their elimination final clash last weekend.

Wing Henry Speight is suspended for the Brumbies this week after performing an illegal tackle during the win over the Stormers.

This Saturday's match is set to be a sell-out with more than 30,000 tickets already snapped up.

"This is a historic occasion for the Hurricanes and we're thrilled at the prospect of selling out. It's a real tribute to our fans that they've turned out in such huge numbers, and I'm sure the team will be buoyed by the fantastic crowd," Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said.

Hurricanes: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith (c), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris Eves, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor.