Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett again has the luxury of fielding an unchanged line-up for Friday’s fifth-round Super Rugby match against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.
The only potential change from the team which lost 17-19 to the Highlanders in Wellington on Saturday comes in the front row.
Loosehead prop Ben May has been bracketed with Michael Bent, with a decision on who starts expected later in the week.
The Hurricanes have also been boosted by the return of Samoan five-eighth Tusi Pisi, back from a stint with Japanese club side Suntory Goliath, which won the All-Japan Championship and Top League titles this season.
Hurricanes assistant coach Alama Ieremia says Pisi’s experience and tactical leadership provide a real boost to the team.
Pisi, 29, has one Super Rugby cap after coming off the bench for the Crusaders in 2007 against the Sharks and has nine Test caps for Samoa.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben May/Michael Bent. Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Michael Bent/Tristan Moran, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Eaton, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Charlie Ngatai.