Loose forward Murphy Taramai is set to become Hurricane No 274, after being named on the bench for this Sunday's Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Highlanders in Wellington.

Kick-off is at 05:35 (SA time).

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The Hurricanes are looking for their second win of the competition, after taking down the Chiefs 25-18 in Hamilton last week.

Due to minor injuries, hooker Dane Coles, prop Fraser Armstrong and loose forwards Gareth Evans and Reed Prinsep have not been included in the squad.

It means, Ben May, Asafo Aumua and Devan Flanders have been called up to the starting XV.

There s also been a change at flyhalf, as Fletcher Smith rotates with Jackson Garden-Bachop and Vince Aso has made his way back into the midfield - a heavily contested position.

The Hurricanes have won their last four home games against the Highlanders.

Teams:

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Ben May

Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen

Highlanders

15 Michael Collins, 14 Scott Gregrory, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith (co-captain), 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 1 Ayden Johnstone

Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 22 Kayne Hammington, 23 Bryn Gatland