Umaga returns to the fold

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has made just one change, but it's a significant one as former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga makes his Super 14 comeback tomorrow.

The inspirational Umaga replaces Tane Tuipulotu at second five-eighths against the Highlanders in Dunedin in the only change to the starting XV since the 11-17 loss to the Crusaders a fortnight ago.

It will be Umaga's 105th Super match but his first in nearly six weeks since he injured his knee playing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Cooper welcomed Umaga's experience as the fourth-placed Hurricanes chase their seventh win of the season against the sixth-placed Highlanders in the day match at Carisbrook.

"Look at the Brumbies and Crusaders - their big strengths over the years have been having big decision-makers who are experienced," he said.

"We've got a first-five in his second year [Jimmy Gopperth] and lost two All Blacks midfielders [Umaga and Conrad Smith]. We're having to grow what is quite a young backline and that comes back to decision-making."

Umaga made his return last weekend with 50 minutes of club rugby for Petone to prepare for the Super 14.

Powerful young loosehead prop John Schwalger retained his No 1 jersey for the scrum battle against Carl Hayman, again confining former All Black Joe McDonnell to the bench.

Gopperth goes into the match on 193 career points and should become the fifth Hurricane to reach the 200-point milestone. David Holwell (631), Christian Cullen (308), Jon Preston (300) and Umaga (215) are the other double centurions.

The Hurricanes are talking up the importance of this match against the southerners as they look to rebuild their momentum after a week off.

"You don't get too many points for the bye so everything's closed up and if we drop this one we're back in the pack," lock Paul Tito said. "The good work we've done won't be lost, but we won't be pushing on like we hope to."

Meanwhile, Highlanders coach Greg Cooper yesterday made four changes to the starting XV who scraped home 25-22 over the winless Western Force at home last weekend.

Wing Ben Smith forces Roy Kinikinilau to the bench against his former Wellington teammates, flanker Tim Boys replaces Hale T-Pole, while in the front row captain Anton Oliver and Clarke Dermody return for Jason Macdonald and Nick White respectively.

Boys' selection is the intriguing one as Josh Blackie moves to No 6 to give the Highlanders two fliers on each side of the scrum.

Dunedin, 2.35pm tomorrow

Highlanders
Ben Blair, Ben Smith, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Vilimoni Delasau, Callum Bruce, Jimmy Cowan, Craig Newby, Josh Blackie, Hale T-Pole, Filipo Levi, Tom Donnelly, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver (c), Clarke Dermody
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Kane Thompson, Tim Boys, Chris Smylie, Ryan Bambry, Roy Kinikinilau.

Hurricanes
Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, R. So'oialo (c), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Paul Tito, Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger
Reserves: Luke Mahoney, Joe McDonnell, Luke Andrews, Thomas Waldrom, Brendan Haami, David Holwell, Tamati Ellison.

- NZPA