Coles captains 'Canes

Hooker Dane Coles will make his captaincy debut for the Hurricanes when they take on the Force in Perth in Round Three of Super Rugby.

The 28-year-old has been handed the duties in the absence of Conrad Smith, who will sit out this week's match.

Coach Chris Boyd has continued to rotate players in certain positions this week, moving Blade Thomson to lock alongside James Broadhurst, while Ardie Savea comes back in to the starting line-up. Victor Vito will also have his first start for the 2015 season, along with Chris Smiley and James Marshall.

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

Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Chris Smiley, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Brad Shields, 6 Ardie Savea, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Reggie Goodes.

Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Matt Proctor, 23 Nehe lner-Skudder.

Date: Friday, February 27

Venue: NIB Stabium, Perth

Kick-off: 19.00 (11.00 GMT; 00.00 Saturday, February 28 NZ Time)

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)