The Hurricanes named flanker Ardie Savea to their starting lineup Thursday for the Super Rugby final against the Highlanders, though doubts about his fitness won't be resolved until the eve of the match.
Callum Gibbins will play for the Wellington-based Hurricanes in Saturday's final if Savea hasn't fully recovered from a knee ligament strain he aggravated during last weekend's semifinal against the ACT Brumbies.
Hooker Motu Matu'u returns to the reserves bench in place of Brayden Mitchell in the only change to the 23 players the Hurricanes used in their 29-9 win over the Brumbies.
Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, who left the field with a hamstring strain during the semifinal, was deemed fit to play in the final.
Scans this week showed that Savea has a grade two medial ligament strain and the team will wait until Friday to determine if he's recovered sufficiently to take his place in the starting lineup.
Savea played a key role in the Hurricanes' win over the Brumbies, scoring a try before limping from the field in the second half.
The availability of new All Blacks winger Milner-Skudder is a boost for the Hurricanes, who will be playing in only their second Super Rugby final and will be hosting the championship match for the first time.
Matt Proctor has been named as the reserve winger in the lineup, ahead of All Blacks veteran Cory Jane, who continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.
Saturday's match will be the last for several Hurricanes players, including All Blacks midfielders Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu, lock Jeremy Thrush and prop Ben Franks. All four are leaving the team at the end of the season to take up contracts overseas.
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Hurricanes lineup: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith (captain), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea or Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Chris Eves, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Callum Gibbins/Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, Matt Proctor.
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