Hurricanes hit Napier this Friday

Hurricanes star player Ma'a Nonu

The high-flying Hurricanes blow into town this Friday as they look to derail the momentum of the resurgent Highlanders.

Coming off only their second loss of the year, Conrad Smith's men will want to cement their spot at the top of the Super Rugby table.

Napier's McLean Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Canes in the past, with a five-two win-loss record.

Many may recall Christian Cullen's length-of-the-field stunner against the Waratahs as a top McLean Park memory.

The Canes' recipe for 2015 success has centred around a mobile and bruising forward pack to complement their almost total All Black back line.

Breakout stars Ardie Savea, Blade Thompson and Nehe Milner-Skudder have played their best rugby to date and are pushing their cases for All Black selection.

Milner-Skudder has been a revelation at fullback - the only position the Canes do not have a regular All Black in.

His footwork and acceleration have caused headaches for opposition defences.

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said first five-eighths Beauden Barrett remained a 50/50 chance of playing against the Highlanders on Friday.

Young gun Otere Black will fly to Italy to join the New Zealand under-20s if Barrett proves his fitness. Ma'a Nonu has yet to take his second mandatory rest week.

With a playoff spot confirmed and coming off an impressive win against the Chiefs, coach Jamie Joseph has made the call to wrap his three All Black stars in cotton wool for Friday's clash. Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Smith will all sit out the game.

The Highlanders last visited McLean Park in 2001, going down by two points to the hosts.

The forecast for Friday's game, which starts at 7.35pm, is for showers, then mainly fine with southwesterlies dying out.