All Blacks Boost As Milner-Skudder, Barrett Return

Wing sensation Nehe Milner-Skudder will return from a lengthy injury lay-off for the Wellington Hurricanes this weekend, placing him in the frame for All Blacks selection against the British and Irish Lions.

The 26-year-old was named on the bench for Hurricanes’ Super Rugby clash with Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

In more good news for All Black selectors, star fly-half Beauden Barrett will start for the Hurricanes after being cleared of concussion following a head knock which caused him to miss last week’s victory against the Northern Bulls in South Africa.

Milner-Skudder has been out since mid-March, when he broke his right foot in a loss to the Waikato Chiefs, leaving him in a race against time to get fit for the Lions.

“It’s great to have Nehe back in the mix,” Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said.

“I know he´s worked extremely hard during his rehab and he can’t wait to pull on the Hurricanes jersey and get back into the campaign.”

Milner-Skudder enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2015, helping the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup victory with six tries in the tournament.

But he missed the 2016 season with a shoulder injury and managed only two Super Rugby games this year before breaking his foot.

If fully fit, the elusive winger is a strong contender to make the All Blacks line-up for the first Test against the Lions on June 24.

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