The Hurricanes have suffered pre-season injury blows to flanker Brad Shields and wing Matt Proctor.
Bruising forward Shields will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a knee injury suffered during the trial match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.
The medial ligament tear is expected to keep him out until at least the sixth round of the competition on March 21.
Proctor twisted his ankle in the same game and will miss the team’s first two games, against the Sharks and Stormers in South Africa.
He is expected to be ready for their first home, against the Brumbies on March 7.
A number of All Blacks return to the field in their final trial game against the Crusaders in Levin on Friday.
Beauden Barrett will play first five-eighth while captain/centre Conrad Smith, wing Cory Jane and lock Jeremy Thrush are also in the starting side.
Samoan international Alapati Leiua returns from injury on the left wing while usual No.10 Marty Banks will play at fullback.
Hurricanes: Marty Banks, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (capt), Tim Bateman, Alapati Leiua, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Adam Hill, Mark Abbott, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks. Reserves: Motu Matu’u, Ash Dixon, John Schwalger, Brendon Edmonds, Chris Eves, James Broadhurst, Mark Reddish, Blade Thomson, Faifili Levave, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Chris Smylie, Billy Guyton, James Marshall, Hadleigh Parkes, Cardiff Vaega, Julian Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Andre Taylor.