The Albany Gazette - Table-topping Hurricanes beef up for Super Rugby showdown in Auckland

The Hurricanes head to Eden Park just one point ahead of the second-placed Blues with four rounds left of the regular season.

Barrett takes his place in the midfield with the scrumhalf berth filled by Perenara, who scored his 63rd Super Rugby try off the bench last weekend to set a new competition record.

Former England international Shields packs down at blindside flanker with junior New Zealand international Xavier Numia also coming into the side at prop.

Head coach Clark Laidlaw said his team faced a tough task in Auckland, where the Hurricanes have not won for five years.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us to be able to take on a top side at their home and put our best foot forward," said Laidlaw.

"We haven't won in Auckland since 2019 –- so we know that there is a massive challenge ahead."

The Hurricanes are the leading try scorers this season with 53, just ahead of the Blues and the Waikato Chiefs who are tied on 52 each.

Blues full-back Zarn Sullivan returns from a knee injury, while his sibling Bailyn is on the Hurricanes bench.

"It's awesome, it's a proud moment for our family," Zarn Sullivan said.

The Blues have a point to prove after the Hurricanes carved out a 29-21 win when the teams met in Wellington in March.

"It's a top-of-the-table clash, I know the boys will be up for the occasion and wanting to right a few wrongs from when we lost to them down in Wellington," Sullivan added.

The Blues have also selected a powerful side with a back row made up of All Blacks Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu and Akira Ioane.

All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane sits out having suffered a concussion in last Friday's 38-11 win at the Melbourne Rebels.

(L.Thomas--TAG)