Dane Coles

All Black Coles buries hatchet with Hansen after Wallabies dalliance

Coles reacted with incredulity three weeks ago when told Hansen had been advising New Zealand's fierce rivals at the behest of his friend Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

"Shag (Hansen), what are you up to?," a stunned Coles told reporters.

"That hurts a little bit, to be fair. I'm just gobsmacked. I know he's quite tight with Eddie, they're really good mates, but he's a bit of an icon in the All Blacks set-up."

Coles back, Savea on bench and Barrett out for Hurricanes

Jordie Barrett is unavailable while Ardie Savea will come off the bench.

The Hurricanes are fifth in the Super Rugby standings and must win and have the Chiefs lose to the Drua to claim fourth place and a home quarter-final for next weekend.

The front row has changed from the Hurricanes last round win over the Reds with Pouri Rakete-Stones starting at loosehead prop.

Coles is at hooker with fellow 2015 Rugby World Cup winner Owen Franks at tighthead prop. It will be the first time the two have started a game together this season.

Hurricanes get All Blacks veteran back while another makes debut

Coles who's played 128 games for the Hurricanes will finally take the field having recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered on the All Blacks Northern Tour at the end of last year.

"We've taken it slowly with him to make sure he's 100% when he comes back, and he's absolutely flying around the place now," said coach Jason Holland.

There are some obvious things with Colesy, about what he'll bring in creating a bit of edge around the group and the way he leads, which is great for our boys. He's dying to play and dying to contribute."

All Black Dane Coles re-signs with NZ Rugby and Hurricanes

The 34-year-old has played 74 Tests since his debut in 2012 and more than 120 games for the Hurricanes.

He said he was never going to play for another Super Rugby team and is looking forward to trying to trying to extend his All Blacks career.

"I'm so grateful to be playing the game I love, and grateful for the opportunity to continue with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby. The Hurricanes have been loyal to me, I'm a 'one club' man, so to continue my career with them will be awesome.

Hurricanes finally get Coles back

Jackson Garden-Bachop suffered an achilles injury playing against the Crusaders in round two and now needs surgery.

It leaves the Hurricanes without their top two first-fives after Simon Hickey suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season.

Orbyn Leger will start in the number ten jersey again after debuting for the Hurricanes in last weekend's loss to the Chiefs.

Young prospect Ruben Love, a possible first five backup, is set for his first game time after being named on the bench.

Fullback Jordie Barrett could also fill in at number ten.

Dane Coles recommits to NZ Rugby

His recommitment means New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes can continue to rely on his outstanding leadership, skill and experience for the next three years.

The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, who led the Hurricanes to the club's first Investec Super Rugby title a year later, said he was committed to continuing his career in New Zealand.

"I still feel like there are things that I want to achieve in New Zealand with teams that mean a lot to me," Coles said.

Coles 'fizzing' to be back in black

The All Blacks name their team to play Japan in Tokyo this afternoon and it will largely be made up of rookies, with most of the first-choice players heading to London to prepare for their blockbuster test against England at Twickenham.

For Coles though it will mark the end of a comeback he thought he may never complete.

Coles included in All Blacks training camp

Coles hasn't played since falling awkwardly and rupturing anterior cruciate knee ligaments early in the All Blacks' Test win over France in Paris on November 11.

Over the previous two Super Rugby campaigns he has missed large chunks of games with rib (2016) and concussion (2017) issues but returned late in the season.

His first knee surgery didn't work, ending his expected comeback in June. His second surgery was a success, but whether he'll return to action via the All Blacks or Wellington remains to be seen.

Coles to miss June series, Super Rugby

It was expected the 31-year-old's rehab from the serious knee injury he suffered six months ago would rule him out of the June series against France, but he told the New Zealand Herald he's not likely to return until August at provincial level.

First-choice Test rake Coles hasn't played since falling awkwardly and damaging cruciate ligaments early in the All Blacks' Test win over France in Paris on November 11.

Over the previous two Super Rugby campaigns he has missed large chunks of games with rib (2016) and concussion (2017) issues but returned late in the season.

Read and Coles likely to miss French series

Read underwent back surgery following the All Blacks' end of year tour to Europe after a protruding disc was causing leg pain while Coles ruptured knee ligaments.

"I don't think he'll (Read) be back until after the French series but that's not a fait accompli at this point," Hansen told NZME.

"We'll just take our time and as I said about a month ago, he knows his body and we can't afford to come back too early and damage it again and miss another six months and maybe even miss the World Cup.

"We'll just take it one day at a time and one week at a time."