The Hurricanes openside Ardie Savea remains in doubt for Saturday night's Super Rugby final after being bracketed alongside Callum Gibbons for the title match in Wellington.
The Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The younger Savea was a standout in the semi-final win over the Brumbies before being forced from the field with a knee injury.
The Hurricanes will give him until just before kick-off to prove his fitness, but if he is ruled out it will be a major blow for the hosts, who're chasing their maiden Super Rugby title.
All Black wing Cory Jane has again been ruled out by a hamstring injury, though new All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder has overcome his hamstring complaint to take his place in the starting XV.
Bar Savea's bracketing coach Chris Boyd has made just one chance to last week's side with hooker Motu Matu'u returning from a knee injury to take his place on the bench.
For long-serving squad members Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush, and fellow team-mates Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo and Ben Franks, it will be the last time they run onto Westpac Stadium as Hurricanes.
With 468 caps between them, the six players will leave a sizeable hole at club when they depart at the end of the season, but not before they do their best to help lift a Super Rugby trophy for their club.
Savea's knee will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the week, with Gibbins to start should Savea not be deemed fit.
The Hurricanes team to face the Highlanders in the 2015 Super Rugby final is;
1.Reggie Goodes
2.Dane Coles
3.Ben Franks
4.Jeremy Thrush
5.James Broadhurst
6.Brad Shields
7.Ardie Savea/Callum Gibbins
8.Victor Vito
9.TJ Perenara
10.Beauden Barrett
11.Julian Savea
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Conrad Smith (c)
14.Nehe Milner-Skudder
15.James Marshall
Reserves
16.Motu Matu'u
17.Chris Eves
18.Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19.Callum Gibbins/Mark Abbott
20.Blade Thomson
21.Chris Smylie
22.Rey Lee-Lo
23.Matt Proctor
