First five-eighths Beauden Barrett, who was part of the All Blacks 35-man training squad this week, has been restored to the starting side for the Hurricanes against the Rebels in Wellington on Saturday.
He is one of five changes to the starting side from the one beaten 37-25 by theBrumbies last Friday and replaces Tusi Pisi who returns to the bench.
Alapati Leiua comes in for Cory Jane and will hope to bed down a regular spot with the All Blacks wing expected to be out for six weeks with a sprained ankle.
Jack Lam replaces Karl Lowe (knee) on the openside flank, Faifili Levave gets the nod ahead of All Blacks training squad member Brad Shields at blindside and prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will start at tighthead prop instead of Reg Goodes. Ben May switches to the loosehead side.
The Hurricanes will want to recapture their winning form against the Rebels, who are 10th with four wins and seven defeats, before heading to Sydney next weekend to face the Waratahs in their final game before the June break for internationals.
Hurricanes: Ben May, Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush, Jason Eaton, Faifili Levave, Jack Lam, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Tim Bateman, Conrad Smith (c), Alapati Leiua, Andre Taylor.
Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Reg Goodes, James Broadhurst, Brad Shields, Chris Eaton, Tusi Pisi, Jayden Hayward.
