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Coles, Aso set to start against Lions

Coles made his return to Super Rugby from the bench in his side's 35-16 quarterfinal win over the Brumbies last weekend. 

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It was his first outing since he suffered concussion against the Highlanders on March 18. He is set to earn his 100th cap for the Hurricanes this week.

"There's a good chance you'll see him start," Hurricanes assistant coach John Plumtree said in an interview on stuff.co.nz.

Coles, Aso set to start against Lions"Boydy [head coach Chris Boyd] hasn't named the side yet but, yeah, he's good to go. He's got that old spark back and pretty motivated obviously. 

"It's a big game for the team and a big game for him this weekend, being his hundredth."

Meanwhile, Aso joined his teammates in Sydney on Saturday ahead of their trip to Johannesburg.

Aso missed the Hurricanes' wins over the Crusaders and the Brumbies because of a minor groin tear.

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Aso's potential return to the starting XV will mean Jordie Barrett will shift back to his normal position at No.15.

Plumtree's believes Barrett's kicking game from fullback will be vital against the Lions.

"His long-kicking game in Johannesburg's going to be useful to us and his ability to diffuse that high-kicking game that we'd expect from [Elton] Jantjies and Ross Cronje. 

"So, for this game, we'll probably be more excited about him playing fullback.

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"But, again, we'll wait and see what we do in the selection," Plumtree added.

Source: stuff.co.nz

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