Dane Coles. Photo / Photosport.
Dane Coles will not make his long-awaited playing return for the Hurricanes for this Saturday's home clash with the Crusaders, but the signs are that he is tracking well for a return in the playoffs.
The hooker, who has not played since March 18 due to prolonged concussion symptoms, is
said to be clear medically, but now must ramp up his training and contact work to ensure a full return.
"He's looking pretty good, actually. From all accounts, he's in a good place and has turned that corner," says Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree, though he stopped short of confirming Coles as a definite starter for the quarter-final.
Plumtree says that all the franchise's All Blacks would be expected to play on Saturday night, though Beauden Barrett, who was excused training on Monday, was the only one who had a heavy playing workload in the Lions series. So we will see All Blacks rookies Jordie Barrett, Ngami Laumape, Vaea Fifita, plus the Savea brothers, TJ Perenara and Barrett senior back in the mix for what will be a vital clash with the Crusaders, who had the wood on them, 20-12, in their May 13 encounter.
Like the Chiefs, the Hurricanes are playing for fifth position on the overall final log, which would see a short trip for a Canberra quarter-final rather than a long haul flight to Cape Town.
