Experienced lock Jeremy Thrush will captain the Hurricanes against the Crusaders in the absence of injured All Blacks centre Conrad Smith.
A broken thumb suffered while on Test duty against England has sidelined Smith, who started all 13 Super Rugby games for the Hurricanes this year before the international break. He won't play again in this campaign unless they reach the playoffs.
Former Crusader Tim Bateman will play centre in the only change to the Hurricanes' backline from the 37-24 loss to the Blues four weeks ago in Auckland.
There are four changes to the forward pack including one forced by injury on the blindside flank, where Faifili Levave makes way for Brad Shields.
Powerful runner Shields has made three bench appearances in a season spoiled by knee problems.
Blade Thomson will lock the scrum alongside Thrush, with James Broadhurst dropped, while Ardie Savea comes in for Jack Lam on the openside flank and All Blacks prop Ben Franks replaces Reggie Goodes.
Reserve hooker Motu Matu'u is under an injury cloud and has been bracketed with Goodes.
Franks is one of seven players involved in the All Blacks' 3-0 sweep of England this month who will blend back into the starting line-up.
The others are wingers Cory Jane and Julian Savea, five-eighth Beauden Barrett, halfback TJ Perenara, No.8 Victor Vito and hooker Dane Coles.
Victory in their last home game of the regular season is vital for the sixth-placed Hurricanes, who boast a 7-7 win-loss record.
They are just four points behind the New Zealand conference-leading Crusaders, who are third overall.
The Hurricanes beat the visitors 29-26 in Christchurch three months ago - a result that gave their season impetus after a slow start.
Hurricanes:
Matt Proctor, Cory Jane, Tim Bateman, Alapati Leiua, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush (capt), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks. Reserves: Moto Matu'u/Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves, Goodes/Brendon Edmonds, James Broadhurst, Jack Lam, Chris Smylie, Hadleigh Parkes James Marshall
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