Coles leads Canes against Force

Hooker Dane Coles will make his captaincy debut for the Hurricanes when they take on Western Force at nib Stadium on Friday night.

Regular captain, centre Conrad Smith, will sit out the match.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has continued to rotate players, moving Blade Thomson to second row with James Broadhurst.

Flanker Ardie Savea is back in the starting line-up and No.8 Victor Vito will get his first start of the season with scrum-half Chris Smiley and full-back James Marshall.

Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder returns from a knee injury, and will come off the bench.

Hurricanes: Reggie Goodes, Dane Coles (capt), Ben Franks, Blade Thomson, James Broadhurst, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Victor Vito, Chris Smiley, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Rey Lee-Lo, Cory Jane, James Marshall. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Nehe Milner-Skudder