All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax will make his return from injury as the Hurricanes play in Wellington for the first time in over a month.
Lomax will join fellow All Black Asafo Aumua and Xavier Numia in a strong front row as the table-topping Hurricanes name a full-strength XV for the first time this season.
The Hurricanes are on an 11-game winning streak against the Queensland Reds in New Zealand in the Shiop N Save Super Rugby Pacific and haven’t lost to the Reds as hosts since a 33-41 defeat in Round 4, 1998.
Lomax had endured a frustrating run with injuries after two broken thumbs and ankle surgery ended his All Blacks campaign prematurely last year.
Co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to the starting XV in the only other change to the Hurricanes’ pack, with Brayden Iose to provide the impact from the bench.
The Canes take on the Reds at 3.35pm Saturday.
In other games, Moana Pasifika will face the Highlanders at 6.05pm tomorrow, the Brumbies will meet the Waratahs at 8.35pm.
On Saturday, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play the Blues at 6.05pm while the Force meet the Chiefs at 8.35pm.
