Milner-Skudder blow for Canes and All Blacks

The Hurricanes said Wednesday the setback - with Milner-Skudder sidelined until August - will also rule the flyer out of New Zealand's Test series against Wales.

Milner-Skudder, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, dislocated his shoulder in the Hurricanes' hard-fought victory over the Blues last Friday.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said scans had confirmed the 25-year-old needed surgery, ending his Super Rugby campaign just three rounds into the competition.

Boyd described Milner-Skudder's injury as "unfortunate" but said the Hurricanes had an able back-up in Test wing Cory Jane.

"Losing Nehe is a blow and obviously disappointing for him," he said.

"But we're really lucky in that we have a lot of depth in the outside backs and when you can bring a 53-Test All Black like Cory Jane into the team you aren't going too bad."

The diminutive flyer displaced Jane in last year's World Cup squad and his injury means the veteran 33-year-old may figure in All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's calculations for the Wales series.

* Meanwhile Hurricanes captain Dane Coles will make his much awaited first appearance of the 2016 Super Rugby season against the Western Force in Palmerston North on Friday.

Coles has been named to start at hooker after missing the opening three weeks of the season due to minor hamstring and calf strains.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has made four changes to the side that started last week's 23-19 win over the Blues at Eden Park.

Apart from Milner-Skudder, blindside flank Brad Shields, prop Reggie Goodes and hooker Leni Apisai have all been ruled out due to injury.

There are two changes in the front row - where Coles replaces Apisai in the No.2 jersey and Chris Eves takes over at loosehead prop from Goodes.

Apisai and Goodes have both been rested after coming off the field for concussion testing during the Hurricanes' last match.

Vaea Fifita takes over at blindside flank from Shields, who will miss the Force match due to a lacerated thumb.

Boyd said Milner-Skudder's injury was unfortunate, but Coles' return was a timely boost ahead of what shaped as a tough match.

"We've been a little unlucky with our hookers so far this season with injuries, so it's great to have Colesy back on the park.

"He's our leader, he's a guy who the team looks to for direction and he's itching to play."

The Hurricanes squad includes two current Manawatu Turbos players in Eves and reserve loose forward Callum Gibbins as well as Palmerston North Boys High School old boy Ngani Laumape at inside centre.

The reserves bench features Auckland lock Michael Fatialofa, who will make his Super Rugby debut should he take the field, and the return of prop Ben May, who missed the start of the season due to injury.

Outside back Jason Woodward also comes back into the squad to take Jane's place in the reserves.

Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Chris Eves.

Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Loni Uhila, 18 Ben May, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 Callum Gibbins,  21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Willis Halaholo, 23 Jason Woodward.

Date: Friday, March 18

Venue: Central Energy Trust Stadium, Palmerston North

Kick-off: 19.35 (15.35 AWST; 08.35 GMT)

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)

TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)