Perenara back for Stormers clash

TJ Perenara will return as captain and Callum Gibbins at openside for the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby match against the Stormers on Friday.

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made just two personnel changes to the side that started against the Brumbies in Napier a fortnight ago.

Perenara, who was on the bench before the team’s second bye round, switches places with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, and reclaims the captaincy from Brad Shields.

Shields led the side for the first time during the 56-21 win over the Brumbies.

Gibbins comes back into the starting side for Blade Thomson, whose season appears over following a dislocated shoulder in Napier, meaning Ardie Savea shifts back to number eight for the fourth time this season.

The reshuffle in the loose forwards means Reed Prinsep comes back into the matchday 23.

Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Vaea Fifita, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ben May
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 James Blackwell, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Ben Lam

Date: Friday, May 5
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Glenn Newman