Late-season lift call for Super Hurricanes

Jun 2, 2017 - 2:50 AM Cory Jane wants to atone for a self-described shocker but he's just as keen for the Hurricanes to shake off their late-season team stutters.

The veteran winger is recalled after two weeks on the sideline in South Africa, having paid his penance for an error-laden evening in the crucial loss to the Crusaders.

The 34-year-old will use Saturday's game against the Western Force in Perth to rejuvenate a season which only began in week seven when he shook off a neck injury.

"I had a run of five games. I know I can still play rugby, which is good," he said.

"I didn't play too well against the Crusaders so it's good to get another opportunity.

"Obviously I'd like a few more chances with the ball but I've just got to do what I can for the team."

Jane says the "awful" team effort against the Crusaders last month marked a low point in the defending champions' season to date.

The fact they only lost by eight points was encouraging, he said.

Less so was their inability to nail all aspects of their game, something that was a hallmark of their late season surge to the 2016 title.

"When we're at our best with our discipline, defence-wise and our attacking game, we're a pretty hard team to stop," said 53-Test All Black Jane.

"We just seem to get one of those things wrong every now and then and it makes life hard.

"Penalty-wise in the last few games, we've given away too many and teams have stuck with us because of that."

Jane's recall and the selection and a first start for the season for left winger Ben Lam leaves no room for barnstorming Test No.11 Julian Savea.

Plenty of interest surrounds the likely injection of Nehe Milner-Skudder off the bench, with the eight-Test All Blacks outside back set to make a first appearance since injuring his foot in round three.

Source: AAP