The Hurricanes must get used to life without game-breaking All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, who will miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.
New Zealand's breakthrough player of 2015, Milner-Skudder needs surgery on his shoulder and the projected recovery period of six months will also rule him out of the June Tests against Wales and the start of the Rugby Championship in August.
It was hoped the dislocation, suffered during the 23-19 win over the Blues last week in Auckland, would sideline the 25-year-old for as little as two weeks.
However, scan results delivered some unwanted news for coach Chris Boyd.
"My understanding is that he requires shoulder reconstruction," Boyd said.
"The indications are around six months, so that's September."
Milner-Skudder's place in the starting team to face the Western Force in Palmerston North on Friday is taken by veteran Test winger Cory Jane.
"Losing Nehe is a blow and obviously disappointing for him, but we're really lucky in that we have a lot of depth in the outside backs," Boyd said.
"When you can bring a 53-Test All Black like Cory Jane into the team, you aren't going too bad."
Milner-Skudder, a diminutive but elusive winger, enjoyed a remarkable rise in 2015, advancing from Hurricanes fringe back to the All Blacks' first choice in the No.14 jersey.
His electric running ability was evident in eight Tests last year, including several shimmering displays during the triumphant World Cup campaign.
Milner-Skudder's loss is countered to a degree by the return to fitness this week of Hurricanes captain Dane Coles.
The All Blacks' hooker has overcome a calf complaint and will make his first appearance of the season against the Force.
Jane, Coles, prop Chris Eves and flanker Vaea Fifita are four new faces in the starting team. Three forwards who started against the Blues have been ruled out with injury - flanker Brad Shields (lacerated thumb), prop Reggie Goodes and hooker Leni Apisai (both concussion).
The bench features Auckland lock Michael Fatialofa, who will make his Super Rugby debut if required, and prop Ben May, who hasn't played this year because of a shoulder problem.
Hurricanes: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles (capt), Chris Eves. Res: Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Michael Fatialofa, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward.
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