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Hurricanes bracket Ardie Savea on the bench as unchanged team named for semi-final with Crusaders

July 26, 2018

The Wellington team says they’re not heading south to “make up the numbers”.

The Hurricanes have named an unchanged 23 from their semi-final win over the Chiefs for this weekend's Super Rugby semi-final against the Crusaders with the exception of giving All Black flanker Ardie Savea a chance to make the bench.

Head coach Chris Boyd has stuck with the same team that overcame the Chiefs 32-31 in Wellington last week for Saturday's contest in Christchurch, meaning Jordie Barrett will once again partner Ngani Laumape in the midfield while Julian Savea starts in the unfamiliar No.14 jersey.

The Hurricanes are giving the winger's brother every chance to overcome the high ankle sprain he sustained with the All Blacks in last month's series against France.

Things looked more promising on Monday after Savea partook in a series of drills comfortably, allowing Boyd to name him on the bench bracketed next to Reed Prinsep.

However, assistant coach Jason Holland said on Monday Savea is still to prove his readiness.

"He's a real outside chance (and) he's ticking away at the boxes he needs to tick," Holland said.

The Hurricanes play the Crusaders at AMI Stadium on Saturday at 7:30pm.

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Gareth Evans, Brad Shields, Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith.

Reserves: James O'Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep/Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Ihaia West, Wes Goosen

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