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Piri Weepu - Source: Photosport -
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All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu will make his first start of the season when the Hurricanes take on the Lions in Wellington on Saturday.
Weepu has made two solid contributions off the bench since returning from a broken leg and now gets his chance to push his claim for World Cup selection against a Lions side who can no longer be considered easy beats
Andrew Hore has also been reinstated as hooker and captain after a week of speculation suggesting he had fallen out with coach Mark Hammett.
Conrad Smith has been bracketed with Jayden Hayward at centre
however and is only a 50-50 chance of playing as he battles an
ankle problem.
Hawke's Bay back, Richard Buckman, has been named on the bench and
will make his Hurricanes debut if he runs on at Westpac Stadium
this weekend.
The match kicks-off at 5:30pm.
Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Andre Taylor, Conrad Smith/Jayden Hayward, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito (c), Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish, Chris Eaton, Jayden Hayward / Julian Savea, Richard Buckman.
