Canes sweat over All Black duo

Coles missed the first two rounds with a calf injury picked up in training, while Milner-Skudder sat out last weekend's loss to the Highlanders with a leg complaint.

The Hurricanes have started the season with two losses – 10-52 at the hand of the Brumbies and then 16-17 against the Highlanders.

Their availability on Friday will be made later in the week says assistant coach John Plumtree.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are wary of the Blues' strengths after the Auckland side thrashed them 12-40 in a pre-season friendly. 

"They dusted us up in the pre-season game," said Plumtree..

"They are big, really physical and they have game breakers and line breakers all over the park."

Plumtree said that they can't afford to give up possession so easily like they did against the Brumbies and Highlanders.

"If we want to build that pressure, we're going to have to hold on to the ball for longer periods of time and take our opportunities," Plumtree said.

"That's probably what's letting us down at this stage," Plumtree added.

Source: NZ Newswire