Jerome Kaino will miss the Blues' match against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North on Friday with concussion.

Kaino is said to have passed a concussion test when he came off for blood during the first half of the defeat to the Lions last week, but failed a test the next day.

Luke Braid will assume the captaincy duties in his absence, while Brendon O'Connor will return on the side of the scrum, with Steven Luatua shifting to No 8.

In further changes to the pack, All Black prop Tony Woodcock makes a return after being rested last week, while hooker James Parsons has been handed a starting role, with Keven Mealamu shifting to the bench.

Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan remains a doubt with a knee complaint. If he doesn't recover, Jamison Gibson-Park will slot into the starting XV, with Bryn Hall being promoted to the bench.

Blues – 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Charles Piutau, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan/Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Luke Braid (c), 6 Brendon O'Connor, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao/Sam Prattley, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park/Bryn Hall, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 George Moala.

Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.co.nz