Coles Has Right Up Until Kick Off To Prove Fitness

Dane Coles has been an active member at Hurricanes training this afternoon after being bracketed in the squad to play the Chiefs in their Super Rugby semi final this Saturday.

The Canes captain has been listed alongside Ricky Riccitelli at hooker in an otherwise unchanged 23, after suffering a serious rib injury in their quarter final.

Coles has been throwing in lineout drills, passing and running.

Coach Chris Boyd said they'll give him as much time as possible to prove his fitness.

"I'm no doctor so I don't know whether it's 50:50, 60:40 or 40:60, but he's improved everyday and he's coming along nicely, so we'll have to wait until Saturday to see."

Coles is happy with how he went through training today.

He said he did a bit of running and throwing and plans to amp it up at the captain's run tomorrow.

Boyd's dismissed rumours that the Hurricanes have been testing rib protectors on Coles.

"Contrary to much belief we haven't explored the opportunity around pads and guards for hookers. The intricacies of the scrum are probably more important than the impact."

25,000 tickets have been purchased for the semi-final in Wellington.

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