Halfback TJ Perenara will captain the Hurricanes for the first time during Saturday’s Super Rugby preseason match against the Blues.
Perenara will lead a run on side featuring five World Cup winning All Blacks for the annual fixture at Eketahuna Rugby Club.
Fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder, wing Julian Savea, halves Beauden Barrett and Perenara as well as No 8 Victor Vito, will all play for the first time since their World Cup final win over Australia last year.
The match will also feature the Hurricanes debut of former Warriors rugby league players and NRL rookie of the year Ngani Laumape, who will combine with centre Matt Proctor in the midfield.
Hurricanes 2016 vice-captain Perenara takes the leadership role in the absence of season skipper Dane Coles, who is attending a wedding, with Samoan World Cup hooker Motu Matu’u starting in the No 2 jersey.
Coach Chris Boyd said the match was an important starting point for the season with his full squad available for the first time.
“We had a good hit out against the Western Force last weekend, but our time in Gisborne has given us an opportunity to add some real clarity to what we’re doing and I’m pretty pleased with how we’ve come together as a group.
Boyd said it was important to give his All Blacks some meaningful game time two weeks out from the start of the season proper.
Boyd has not settled on his reserves bench with several players being assessed for minor injuries before the final squad of 28 can be confirmed.