After three games of the new Super Rugby season, last year’s joint top try-scorer Andre Taylor has been relegated to the bench by the Hurricanes.

The 25-year-old fullback shared the try-scoring honours in 2012 with Bulls wing Bjorn Basson putting in the reckoning for All Black recognition but has been dropped in favour of Taranaki’s James Marshall for their match against the Highlanders on Friday.

It will be the 24-year-old’s first Super Rugby start after impressing off the bench in the 29-28 win over the Crusaders in the last round.

Two more changes have been forced on coach Mark Hammett for the match in Dunedin with lingering doubts over the fitness of two front-rowers.

Hooker Motu Matu’u will undergo a test on an injured shoulder on Wednesday and if he is ruled out then Ash Dixon will start and Southland recruit Jason Rutledge will come onto the bench.

Tighthead prop Ben May replaces Jeffery Toomaga-Allen in the run-on side who is in doubt to take his place in the reserves with a sternum injury.

Reggie Goodes is bracketed with Toomaga-Allen.

Five-eighth Tusi Pisi, back after a season with Suntory in Japan, comes into the reserves with Reynold Lee-Lo missing out.

Hurricanes: James Marshall, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (capt), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Motu Matu’u/Ash Dixon, Ben Franks. Res: Reggie Goodes/Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, James Broadhurst, Faifili Levave, Chris Smylie, Tusi Pisi, Andre Taylor, one to be added.