Super Rugby
Ardie Savea still in doubt as Canes name side
ESPN Staff
July 2, 2015
Super Rugby Grand Final preview

In-form Hurricanes back-rower Ardie Savea will be given right up until kick-off to prove his fitness for the Super Rugby final against the Highlanders.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd on Thursday unveiled his side for the Westpac Stadium decider with Savea bracketed alongside Callum Gibbons at No.7. The hard-working openside left the field with a knee injury midway through the Canes' win over the Brumbies last week, but was still named Man of the Match for a 49-minute effort that featured a try, two clean breaks and six beaten defenders.

Winger Nehe Milner-Skudder was also substituted during last weekend's win over the Brumbies, but he has shaken off a hamstring injury to take his place for what is just the Wellington franchise's second ever decider, and first at home.

The only confirmed change to the Hurricanes side comes on the bench where back-up hooker Motu Matu'u returns ahead of Brayden Mitchell.

Hurricanes: James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith (c), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Victor Vito, Ardie Savea/Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields; James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush; Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Replacements: 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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