Perenara has been an integral part of a Hurricanes outfit that has so far exceeded expectations but he injured his ankle during an inter-squad basketball game two days ago and is still a doubt to face the Crusaders in Wellington on Saturday. Wider training group member Frae Wilson would come in as cover if Perenara was ruled out.
Victor Vito has been named to start at No 8 after recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of the last two matches but promising loose forward Brad Shields is absent against because of his shoulder injury.
Hurricanes team to play the Crusaders in their Super Rugby match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday (7.30pm):
Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara / Chris Eaton, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben May. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Jack Lam / Mark Reddish, Chris Eaton / Frae Wilson, Tusi Pisi, Alapati Leiua.
