Openside flanker Ardie Savea will make his first start of the year for the Hurricanes in Saturday's Super Rugby clash against the Cheetahs in Wellington.
Having been on the bench in the opening rounds, Savea will start in the No. 7 jersey with Jack Lam moving to the reserves, while Faifili Levave returns from injury to start at blindside.
Prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen also returns to the starting XV, while the midfield is bolstered by the return of Hadleigh Parkes.
"We're fortunate and lucky to have Ardie who will become a world class seven in time and he's pretty sharp as he is now," coach Mark Hammett said today.
"Jack Lam has had three very physical encounters, so we're looking to take him out of the early battle exchanges this week. It's good that we can do that, and give someone like Ardie a start as well.
"The thinking is similar between John and Jeff. There's not much that separates those two, and John also provides cover for both tighthead and loosehead, which we'll look to utilise throughout the season."
Halfback Chris Smylie is another to get his first start of the season, pushing All Blacks No. 9 TJ Perenara to the bench.
Alapati Leiua will start at right wing, with Cory Jane out with a broken nose.
The game will mark a special occasion for Hurricanes centre and captain, Conrad Smith, who will run on for his 100th Hurricanes match, following 11 seasons with the club.
The 32-year-old said the milestone was one he never dreamed of reaching.
"When I played that first game in 2004, very few would have guessed I'd reach this point. It's such an honour and I treasure every opportunity I get to wear the swirl and represent the team I love," Smith said.
Kick-off is at Westpac Stadium at 4.35pm.
Hurricanes:1. Ben Franks, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Mark Reddish, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Blade Thomson, 9. Chris Smylie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 13. Conrad Smith (c), 14. Alapati Leiua, 15. James Marshall.
Reserves: 16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Chris Eves, 18. John Schwalger, 19. James Broadhurst, 20. Jack Lam, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Matt Proctor, 23. Marty Banks.
