All Blacks Star Ruled Out For The Season

All Blacks wing Nehe Milner-Skudder’s Super Rugby season is officially over as he faces surgery for a shoulder injury.

The Hurricanes confirmed the worst on Wednesday as they named their team to play the Western Force in Palmerston North on Friday night. Scans have revealed he will need surgery on the shoulder he dislocated in last Friday night’s win over the Blues at Eden Park. He is replaced on the right wing by Cory Jane.

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles will make his first appearance of the season, overcoming hamstring and calf strains to finally start at No 2. Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said Milner-Skudder’s injury was unfortunate, but Coles’ return was a timely boost ahead of what shaped as a tough match.

“Losing Nehe is a blow and obviously disappointing for him, 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.

“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.”