Ardie Savea back at No.8 for Hurricanes

May 2, 2017 - 11:48 PM Ardie Savea gets another potentially-important chance to impress at No.8 in a Hurricanes team featuring two starting changes to face the Stormers in Wellington.

Regular openside flanker Savea returns to the base of the scrum on Friday following the season-ending shoulder injury suffered by Blade Thomson in the 56-21 defeat of the Brumbies in Napier two weeks ago.

Callum Gibbins is promoted to wear to No.7, with Reed Prinsep coming onto the reserves bench.

All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara starts again after coming off the bench in Napier, swapping roles with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Perenara also reclaims the captaincy from Brad Shields, with first-choice skipper Dane Coles sidelined for a seventh straight week by ongoing calf issues.

Savea is poised to have a consistent run at No.8 which could boost his stocks ahead of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

With Sam Cane favoured to start for New Zealand on the openside flank, the dynamic Savea is among a clutch of others in contention to fill any loose forward vacancy if Kieran Read (thumb) or Jerome Kaino (knee) is unavailable.

Veteran Test stalwarts Read and Kaino are both forecast to return to rugby about two weeks before the first Test against the Lions on June 24.

Savea has been one of the standout performers in the defending champions' 7-1 start to the season.

Despite their five-match winning streak and the Stormers' miserable form in New Zealand, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has asked his side to stay on guard.

The conference-leading South African side won six matches on the trot, including a defeat of the Chiefs, before losing their next three.

The past fortnight has featured heavy losses to the Crusaders (57-24) and Highlanders (57-14).

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (capt), Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, James Blackwell, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Ben Lam.

Source: AAP