All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush will make his first Hurricanes start of the Super Rugby season against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.
The Hurricanes have made three changes to their starting side that beat the Blues 30-23 in Palmerston North, their fourth win from four games to go top of the New Zealand conference.
Thrush will partner the versatile Blade Thomson in a new-look second row after both came off the bench last week.
Mark Abbott is demoted to the reserves while James Broadhurst is sitting out a one-week suspension for striking.
Thrush, seeking a World Cup berth, missed the first three games of the season with a calf injury.
Another All Black returns in the backline, where Cory Jane takes Matt Proctor's spot on the right wing.
Prop Ben May has recovered from injury and returns to the bench in place of Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.
The game is a clash of two form New Zealand teams.
The Highlanders have won their last three games, including last week's 26-19 home defeat of the defending champion Waratahs.
Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (capt), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall.
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