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Andrew Hore - Source: Photosport -
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New Zealand rugby's 2008 player of the year Andrew Hore will make his first start for nearly five months in Friday night's Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls in Wellington.
Hore is one of up to three starting changes for the match against the competition leaders from South Africa, who are the only unbeaten team through five rounds.
The Taranaki rake hasn't started a game since injuring his ankle minutes into the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup match against Australia on November 1.
Hore came off the reserve bench during the Hurricane's last match, the 29-12 defeat of the Cheetahs in New Plymouth two weeks ago. They had a bye last week.
He underwent surgery and has had to watch on while teammate Dane Coles has largely handled the hooking duties this season.
Hore will hope to quickly discover the form for the Hurricanes that largely accounted for his player of the year title over star All Blacks teammates such as Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter.
Other changes this week are all in the tight five.
John Schwalger comes off the bench to start at loosehead prop, pushing All Black Neemia Tialata to the tighthead side and Tim Fairbrother out of the 22.
Lock Jason Eaton is in doubt and has been bracketed with with Bryn Evans.
Hurricanes: Tamati Ellison, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson, Rodney So'oialo, Scott Waldrom, Karl Lowe, Jason Eaton/Bryn Evans, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Evans/Api Naikatini, Faifili Levave, Willie Ripia, Jason Kawau, David Smith.
