Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has succumbed to a bruised knee and will miss the Super Rugby clash with the Reds in Brisbane.
All Blacks hooker Coles suffered the injury during their last-start 41-15 thrashing of the Highlanders.
The bye last week still didn't give him enough time to be fully fit for Saturday's match.
Ricky Riccitelli, who has played all four games this year for the defending champions, has been promoted to start at hooker.
Halfback TJ Perenara will be captain, as he was in the season-opener against the Sunwolves, when Coles came off the bench.
Coach Chris Boyd says Coles' discomfort was enough of a reason to sideline the influential 30-year-old, who will be managed carefully through the season.
"Dane has a big season ahead and at some point he would have needed to be rotated out of the playing roster anyway," Boyd said.
"We're particularly lucky in the hooking space with two very capable replacements in Ricky Riccitelli and Leni Apisai, so it was a bit of a no-brainer to give Colesy the weekend off."
Reserve Apisai is poised to make his first appearance of the season.
The only change from the Highlanders' triumph is on the bench, where Pita Ahki replaces Wes Goosen as outside back cover.
Despite signing last year, it will be a Hurricanes debut for former Blues back Ahki, whose availability has been affected by injury and sevens commitments.
Loosehead prop Chris Eves will win his 50th cap.
The Hurricanes will start favourites against the Reds, having won 12 of their last 14 encounters.
Their 3-1 win-loss record this season compares favourably with the Queenslanders, who are 1-4 and coming off a winless tour to South Africa and Argentina.
HURRICANES: Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (capt), Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Sam Lousi, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Pita Ahki.
