All Black Conrad Smith and form halfback TJ Perenara are in doubt for the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby match against the Southern Kings.

The influential pair have been bracketed in the line-up for Saturday’s match at Westpac Stadium.

Smith, the Hurricanes’ captain and centre, has a bruised heel and the 21-year-old Perenara has a calf strain.

Both will be assessed at training on Thursday.

If Smith fails to take his place Alapati Leiua will move in from the wing to don the No.13 jersey, while Chris Smylie is ready to step in for Perenara.

Hooker Dane Coles returns to the starting line-up after two weeks out with an ankle strain and Andre Taylor reclaims the fullback jersey after impressing off the bench against the Highlanders.

Despite exciting flanker Ardie Savea being available again after serving a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle in a pre-season match, coach Mark Hammett has kept faith with Hawke’s Bay openside flanker Karl Lowe.

Reserve hooker Motu Matu’u is still troubled by a shoulder injury, prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has a sternum injury and loose forward Blade Thomson is out with a sprained ankle.

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua/Matt Proctor, Conrad Smith (capt)/Leiua, Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara/Chris Smylie, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Dane Coles, Ben Franks. Res: Ash Dixon, Reggie Goodes, Mark Reddish, Faifili Levave, Smylie/Samisoni Fisilau, Tusi Pisi, Reynold Lee-Lo.