All Black Ma’a Nonu will miss the Hurricanes’ first game of the Super Rugby season as he awaits the birth of his third child.

Capped 94 times by his country, the 32-year-old will remain in New Zealand when the team travels to South Africa.

He is scheduled to link up with the team on February 12, but will not face the Lions next week in Johannesburg.

He will have to wait until the following week’s game against the Bulls to play the first competitive game for the side after his acrimonious departure in 2011.

Meanwhile, prop Ben May will make his return to the Hurricanes after two seasons in Japan off the bench in their final pre-season match against the Blues at North Harbour on Friday.

All Blacks Dane Coles, Conrad Smith, Ben Franks, Victor Vito, Beauden Barrett and Julian Savea will sit out the match, but Jeremy Thrush and Cory Jane both start.

A 27-strong squad to travel to South Africa will be named after Friday’s match.