Super Rugby: Franks brings up ton

Mark Hammett

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has sung the praises of workhorse prop Ben Franks, who will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance against the Stormers in Cape Town tomorrow.

"He is the most organised rugby player I've ever worked with, down to his diet, right down to knowing exactly how many calories are going in and coming out and the recovery processes," he said.

Franks, 29, said he could recall flashes from his debut, which came for the Crusaders against the Chiefs in 2006.

"I just remember coming on late... the first thing I did was come on and hit a scrum and then before I knew it the game was over," Franks said.

Ben Franks

After being blown off the park at scrum-time during their 27-9 loss to the Sharks in Durban last weekend, Franks will be joined in the front-row tomorrow by veteran prop John Schwalger in one of two changes to the Hurricanes' starting XV.

"I think it was more a skill execution thing than an attitude thing," Franks said of last weekend's struggles. "The first 30 minutes wasn't very flash but... the second half wasn't too bad."

Hurricanes: M. Banks, C. Jane, C. Smith (c), H. Parkes, J. Savea, B. Barrett, TJ Perenara, B. Thomson, J. lam, F. Levave, M. Reddish, J. Thrush, J. Schwalger, D. Coles, B. Franks. Reserves: M. Matu'u, C. Eves, J. Toomaga-Allen, J. Broadhurst, A. Savea, C. Smylie, A. Leiua, J. Marshall.