Milner-Skudder to start at home

Manawatu fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder will have the pleasure of running on for his first Hurricanes start in front of a home crowd on Friday.

Having entered the 2015 season with a knee injury, Milner-Skudder had a strong appearance off the bench against the Force in Perth, and will this week claim the No.15 jersey - as the Hurricanes look to take on the Blues at FMG Stadium.

Matt Proctor also gets a start in place of resting All Black, Cory Jane, while TJ Perenara comes back into the starting line-up.

Jeremy Thrush returns from injury and will occupy a spot on the bench.

Friday's game marks a solid 20-year Super Rugby rivalry between the Hurricanes and Blues, which began in 1996 when the two sides kicked off the competition in Palmerston North.

Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.

Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Blade Thomson, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 James Marshall.

Date: Friday, March 13

Venue: FMG Stadium, Palmerston North

Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)