Hurricanes boosted by All Blacks for Lions

The British and Irish Lions won't have it easy in their final midweek game of the New Zealand tour after the Hurricanes named a power-packed side.

All Blacks squad backs Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape and forward Vaea Fifita have been released for the match on Tuesday, which is followed only by the Lions' last two Tests.

The starting XV is close to full strength, with the key absentees being an All Blacks Test trio - halves TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett and flanker Ardie Savea - along with long-time injured hooker and captain Dane Coles.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he is happy to release a number of his fringe players for the match and indicated to Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd who they would be about a week ago.

He wasn't keen to deny them the opportunity to face the tourists and said the experience would be good for their careers.

Without Coles and Perenara, Boyd has named long-serving loose forward Brad Shields as captain.

Julian Savea's availability on the left wing suggests there won't be a place for him again in the second Test at the same Westpac Stadium venue on Saturday.