Hurricanes to welcome back star players

Editor

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 18: Dane Coles of the Hurricanes prepares for a lineout throw during the round four Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium on March 18, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes are hoping a number of their stars return to action soon as they look to maintain their impressive start to the season.

Dane Coles, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Michael Fatialofa are all out injured and Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has given some idea as to when they will make their comeback.

Referring to Coles, Boyd told Stuff that the talismanic hooker should return for the Stormers clash on the May 5.

“Those calves for him are niggly, they have been over a number of years.

“If we didn’t have a bye, he’d probably be okay to play next week. So the bye’s come at a nice time for him [and] I’d be pretty surprised if he’s not ready for selection against the Stormers [on May 5].”

Winger Milner-Skudder hasn’t played since fracturing his metatarsal in the March 10 loss to the Chiefs and Boyd is pinning his hopes on a May 20 comeback.

“If we’re really lucky, the week before against the Crusaders,” said Boyd.

Meanwhile, Boyd has revealed that lock Fatialofa had a scan on his right knee, which appears to be dislocated and will see a specialist on Thursday.

“We think at a minimum he’s dislocated his knee, which may or may not be problematic,” Boyd said.