Jordie Barrett has been named to partner up with Ngani Laumape in the midfield for the Hurricanes, in their match against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday.
Barrett's positional change to centre will be his fourth different starting number this season for the Canes. He has started at fullback, right wing and second-five eighth.
Hurricanes midfielder Matt Proctor has been named on the bench with Vince Aso side-lined with a pectoral injury.
"I still think that Jordie can play really well at 15, he's played pretty much every position for us because he has had to because of the injuries to our backs," said Hurricanes coach John Plumtree.
"He's great talent and can play in a number of positions. And right now I am not big on moving players around, I would like him to settle in his favourite position.
"But right now because of some injuries, we've had to do this and he is just a really good team man."
Manu Samoa and Bay of Plenty lock Kane Le'aupepe is set to start after making his Super Rugby debut coming off the bench in his side's 32-8 loss to the Crusaders last Friday.
TJ Perenara has been named to skipper the Hurricanes, with Dane Coles still out of rugby action due to a calf strain.
Wes Goosen has been promoted to the right wing, he was named on the bench last week against the Crusaders.
TEAMS:
Hurricanes: 15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Kane Le'aupepe, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 22 Finlay Christie, 23 Matt Proctor.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Luke Whitelock (cc), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Josh Dickson, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Reserves: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Rob Thompson.
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