The Hurricanes have suffered pre-season injury blows to flanker Brad Shields and wing Matt Proctor.
Bruising forward Shields will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a knee injury suffered during the trial match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.
The medial ligament tear is expected to keep him out until at least the sixth round of the competition on March 21.
Proctor twisted his ankle in the same game and will miss the team's first two games, against the Sharks and Stormers in South Africa.
He is expected to be ready for their first home, against the Brumbies on March 7.
The Hurricanes play their final warm-up game against the Crusaders in Levin on Friday.
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