Manu Samoa international Alapati Leiua is confident of adapting to an unfamilar position in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash against the Bulls.
Leiua has impressed on the wing for the Hurricanes this year, but will start at second five to accomodate the return of All Black wing Cory Jane.
His last game there was in a club match a couple of years ago and while he feels confident on attack, Leiua is expecting to be a key target from the opposition.
"I reckon they're going to test me at defence. The Bulls are a direct team - physical backline, midfields so we have to make our tackles and got to work hard with Conrad and Beaudy [Barrett] inside so I'll be fine".
Leiua says he's also looking forward to playing alongside Hurricane's captain, Conrad Smith.
"It's good to have a chance to have a run inside the number one centre in the world so quite confident to play there and I'll be fine. I've been playing centre and wing so not different from 12 so like I said I'm confident to play there. Conrad's been helping me out so that was good".
Fellow Manu Samoa internationals Jack Lam and Faifili Levave retain their starting spots in the loose forward trio.
Meanwhile Flying Fijians wing Nemani Nadolo gets a start on the right wing for the Crusaders against the Lions this week in place of Nafi Tuitivake.
