A week after being relegated to the bench, Beauden Barrett has been restored to the Hurricanes’ starting line-up to face the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
Barrett, who spent three days in camp with the All Blacks this week, replaces Tusi Pisi in the No.10 jersey after the Samoan international started last week’s 37-25 defeat by the Brumbies.
The change is one of five made for the match by coach Mark Hammett.
Flanker Karl Lowe is out with a knee injury, allowing Jack Lam a rare start, while Faifili Levave replaces All Blacks camp member Brad Shields in the No.6 jersey.
Cory Jane, who faces around six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury suffered against the Brumbies, is replaced on the right wing by Alapati Leiua and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen starts at prop in place of Reg Goodes.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (capt), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben May. Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Reg Goodes, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Eaton, Tusi Pisi, Jayden Hayward.