Beauden Barrett is back at flyhalf for the Hurricanes' match against the Highlanders in Napier on Friday.

Barrett, who has not played since injuring his knee on 2 May, takes the place of Otere Black, who was released to join the New Zealand U20s.

However, Barrett will not kick at goal this weekend, with scrumhalf TJ Perenara and fullback James Marshall set to do so.

'I feel comfortable to do my job as a 10 but not really the goal-kicking,' Barrett told the New Zealand Herald. 'Because of the nature of the injury, it's an MCL, it's that side-on lateral movement [that is a problem]. So that's the last thing [required] to say that I'm 100% to be a goal-kicking first-five.'

Barrett won't have Ma'a Nonu next to him as the All Blacks centre is being rested, with Rey Lee-Lo getting the No 12 jersey. 

Among the pack, Ben Franks replaces Jeffery Toomaga-Allen at tighthead prop, Victor Vito returns at No 8 and Blade Thomson shifts to blindside flank.

Hurricanes – 15 James Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Blade Thomson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Subs (one to be ommitted): 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Brad Shields, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Cory Jane, 24 Willis Halaholo.

Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images