Horrocks in Hurricanes Development XV

Lindsay Horrocks will be on the bench for the Hurricanes Development XV in Levin today, kickoff 5.30pm.

Steelform Wanganui halfback and Waverley Harvesting Border club captain Lindsay Horrocks has a grand opportunity as he joins the Hurricanes Development XV for today's game with the Sunwolves Development XV in Levin.

The 28-year-old has been named on the bench to play the Japan 'A' squad at Levin Domain, with the squad seeing a number of Super Rugby regulars drafted in as injury cover.

Horrocks' former Wanganui team mate Te Rangatira Waitokia, who has scored six tries in four games for the undefeated Development XV, is out, with Losi Filipo on the wing.

Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thomson returns to active duty after being sidelined for several weeks, while prop Fraser Armstrong will welcome a starting spot.

Horrocks will be backing up experianced halfback Richard Judd, who teams in the halves with Ihaia West, while Peter Umaga-Jensen will play outside them.

Whanganui's Chris Back is the manager of the squad.

The Japan A side have played two games in New Zealand and won them both.

Horrocks returns to the field where he won the 2017 Meads Cup final last October, with a handful of his Horowhenua-Kapiti opponents from that match also filling out the Development XV bench today.

It is a well-deserved callup for the Wanganui veteran, who has played 51 first class games for the province, receiving his blazer last year.

He debuted in 2013 against King Country and has played every Heartland match and Ranfurly Shield challenge since - either as the starting No9 or off the bench.

He represented the New Zealand Heartland XV in 2015-16.

Kick-off at Levin is 5.30pm.