Jordie Barrett will make his return to Investec Super Rugby, as the Hurricanes get set for a clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton this Sunday.

The 22-year-old has been nursing a shoulder injury for the first two rounds of the competition, which meant Chase Tiatia took over as fullback.

The Hurricanes are coming off a bye and assistant coach, Chris Gibbes says there’s a lot on the line.

“It’s going to be a huge clash for both teams who are desperate to win. Both sides are playing good rugby, without the results to match. We need to go out there stay focussed and meet the intense physicality that the Chiefs are going to bring at home.”

Peter Umaga-Jensen also gets his first start over Vince Aso and Kobus Van Wyk gets the nod ahead of Wes Goosen.

Up front, Scott Scrafton is the sole change made to the forward pack which went up against the Crusaders two weeks ago – replacing Vaea Fifita at lock.

The Hurricanes last played the Chiefs a few days before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the original Investec Super Rugby season.

In that game, the Hurricanes won 27 – 24 thanks to a last-minute penalty from Barrett.

The Hurricanes side to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton is:

1              Fraser Armstrong            

2              Dane Coles [cc]

3              Tyrel Lomax       

4              James Blackwell

5              Scott Scrafton   

6              Reed Prinsep    

7              Du’Plessis Kirifi 

8              Ardie Savea       

9              TJ Perenara [cc]

10           Jackson Garden-Bachop

11           Ben Lam              

12           Ngani Laumape

13           Peter Umaga-Jensen     

14           Kobus Van Wyk

15           Jordie Barrett    

RESERVES:

16.          Ricky Riccitelli    

17.          Ben May             

18.          Alex Fidow         

19.          Vaea Fifita          

20.          Liam Mitchell    

21.          Jamie Booth      

22.          Billy Proctor       

23.          Wes Goosen