All Blacks Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara are poised to bring up a Super Rugby first when a full-strength Hurricanes face the Bulls in their quarter-final in Wellington.
Coach John Plumtree has unveiled an experienced side which features Barrett and Perenara playing their 100th competition game together.
The milestone should have been raised on the team’s trip to South Africa this month but five-eighth Barrett fell ill ahead of their win over the Lions.
The pair are already the most prolific halves pairing in Super Rugby, having surpassed the 80 games Stephen Larkham and George Gregan racked up for the Brumbies over 11 seasons until 2007.
Perenara’s 126th match will lift him level with former midfield backs Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith for the most Hurricanes appearances.
Plumtree rested many of his leading players from last week’s meaningless 29-24 win over the Blues and believes the move has paid dividends.
“I thought the whole squad got a real lift from the way our young side performed last week and that energy has started to really show through,” he said.
HURRICANES: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Dane Coles (capt), Toby Smith. Res: Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong, Ben May/Alex Fidow, Kane Le’aupepe, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Richard Judd/Finlay Christie, James Marshall, Salesi Rayasi.