Hurricanes

Lealiifano to return against Canes

Lealiifano, who has been out of Super Rugby since being diagnosed with leukaemia ten months ago, had originally made his return in Brumbies colours during the team's Austbrokers Cup win over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore in June and will be on the bench for the knockout tie.

Hurricanes end Crusaders unbeaten run

The home team clawed their way back from a 12-7 halftime deficit to outscore the Crusaders four tries to three and exact revenge for their 20 -12 defeat in May.

The win means the Hurricanes will now head to Canberra to play the Brumbies in next weekend's quarter final, while the Crusaders return to Christchurch for a potential match-up against the Highlanders.

The Hurricanes had been forced into major shakeup of their backline immediately before the game with flyhalf Beauden Barrett a late withdrawal due to illness, while Vince Aso was injured during the warmup.

Crusaders rotate front row for Hurricanes clash

The trio who started all three tests against the British and Irish Lions have been left out of the starting lineup are being rested on advice from medical staff.

The side will still have seven All Blacks in its starting lineup including Israel Dagg and Keiran read - Sam Whitelock is on the bench.

RNZI reports Ryan Crotty is still out of action with a hamstring injury he suffered in the first Lions test, but should be back for the quarterfinal next weekend.

Canes hold impressive Lions

The Ireland forward had been sensational all over the field in the opening 65 minutes in Wellington and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a second-half try, but his trip to the sin bin was pivotal.

A dangerous tackle on Jordie Barrett saw him punished and the Canes took full advantage to deny the Lions – who led 23-7 at the break and by 14 points when Henderson left the field – a morale-boosting victory.

Savea to start for Canes

Savea, along with Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape and Vaea Fifita will start for the Hurricanes in the final midweek fixture of the tour.

Loose forward Brad Shields will captain the Hurricanes.

Savea has been named on the left wing where he has started 12 of the Hurricanes 14 matches in 2017, while Barrett will wear the No.15 jersey for the 12th time in his first season of Investec Super Rugby.

Laumape will take his place at second five where he has scored 14 tries and combine centre Vince Aso, who has also scored 14 tries - a single season Hurricanes record.

Chiefs win a thriller in Wellington

The game was level at 7-7 with 15 minutes left on the clock before a break from Chiefs winger Shaun Stevenson set up James Lowe in the left corner to give the visitors the lead at 14-7.

RNZI reports the try was a fitting trophy for Lowe who played in his 50th Super Rugby match tonight.

Chiefs fullback Damien McKenzie then added a penalty in the final 10 minutes to push their lead to 10 points.

Then in the final three minutes of the game, the Hurricanes got down the other end of the field and scored through Wes Goosen, getting within three points of the Chiefs.

Milner-Skudder happy to be back

Milner-Skudder got 20 minutes off the bench in the Hurricanes Super Rugby win over the Western Force on Saturday night, his first outing since breaking a bone in his foot in round 3 in March.

The All Blacks squad for the Lions series is named on Thursday and while he'd probably be an outsider for that, Steve Hansen may consider him with Ben Smith in some doubt after leaving the field at the weekend.

Milner-Skudder isn't sure what part if any he'll play against the Lions.

Canes lose Barrett to headaches but beat Bulls

Star playmaker Barrett withdrew from the side just before kick-off due to headaches, as the visitors managed a convincing bonus-point victory at Loftus Versfeld.

First-half tries from fullback Jordie Barrett, centre Ngani Laumape, South African-born wing Wes Goosen and lock Mark Abbott gave the Hurricanes a 24-13 halftime lead.

Hooker Leni Apisai crossed for their only try of the second half.

Hurricanes rack up 61 points in win over Cheetahs

Teaming up with midfield accomplice Ngani Laumape, Aso crossed once in the first half and twice after the break in the nine-try rout at Wellington Regional Stadium, the home side's biggest winning margin over the South Africans.

Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Ben Lam and Leni Apisai also crossed for the Hurricanes, who were back to their enterprising best after being humbled by the competition-leading Canterbury Crusaders last week.

Barrett Brothers moved aside at Hurricanes

All Black first five Beauden Barrett has been moved to fullback so Black can start at first five against the South African side the Cheetahs in Wellington on Saturday.

There are four changes to the team that started in the loss to the Crusaders with lock Sam Lousi set to make his starting debut.

Wes Goosen replaces Cory Jane on the right wing, and Ben May returns at loose head prop for Chris Eves.

Barrett's move back to fullback gives younger brother Jordie a break having appeared in every match this season and started the past seven.