"We have spoken about how the warm up match holds different agendas for different people, but mostly it is about regaining some momentum so that we can hit the ground running the following week.
Boyd said there was no lack of motivation or excitement in the squad ahead of the Rebels match, which will be played over four quarters.
"Guys on the fringe have a bit to prove and some guys who haven't played for the Hurricanes yet this season certainly have a chance to put their hand up and say, 'what about me?'
"For some of the more senior members of the team it's a matter of just going out and getting back into serious footy.
"At the end of the day you hope you get through injury free and have a performance that gets momentum started up for the Blues the following week."
Wellington and former Highlanders midfielder Shaun Treeby as joined the Hurricanes as injury cover on a short term contract.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan named a 26-strong squad which includes Wallabies squad member Reece Hodge as the two teams tune up during the four-week international break.
"This trial against the Hurricanes will provide our squad with a timely hit out against quality opposition to prepare ourselves for the return of Super Rugby," McGahan said.
"There's certainly plenty to play for on Thursday night with players, both fringe and experienced, vying for positions with three games left this season."
The Rebels will be missing Sean McMahon and Toby Smith, who remain on Wallabies duty, while Kotaro Matsushima is with the Japanese national team for their two-Test series against Scotland.
The squad includes three players without Rebels caps - Harley Fox, Fereti Sa'aga and former Waratahs winger Alofa Alofa, who has temporarily joined the club to provide cover in the backs.
The Rebels, sitting seven points behind the Australian conference-leading Brumbies and Waratahs, return to Super Rugby against the Stormers on July 2 at AAMI Park.
HOW THEY LINE UP:
Hurricanes: James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Jason Woodward, Otere Black, Te Toirora Tahuriorangi, Victor Vito, Hugh Renton, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Reggie Goodes
Reserves: James O'Reilly, Loni Uhila, Chris Eves, Hisa Sasagi, Ben May, Geoff Cridge, James Blackwell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Shaun Treeby, Willis Halaholo, Wes Goosen
Rebels (from): Cruze Ah Nau, Alofa Alofa, Paul Asquith, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Harley Fox, Jamie Hagan, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Sam Jeffries, Luke Jones, Pat Leafa, Ben Meehan, Tom Moloney, Sefa Naivalu, Jonah Placid, Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Fereti Sa'aga, Siliva Siliva, Mick Snowden, Nic Stirzaker, Adam Thomson, Lopeti Timani
