All Blacks hooker Dane Coles has been ruled out of the Hurricanes' match against the Highlanders in Wellington on Friday.

Coles has sustained a back injury, and will be replaced in the starting side by Motu Matu'u. Coach Mark Hammett has made two further changes to the pack, with flank Jack Lam and prop Jeffrey Toomoga-Allen set to front the Highlanders.

The only other change sees Tim Bateman replacing Alapati Leiua at No 12.

The Highlanders have made five changes for the match.

Loosehead prop Chris King's one-week suspension sees Kane Hames move back into the starting line-up. Aki Seiuli will warm the bench after being called up from club rugby as prop cover with both King and Brayden Mitchell unavailable. Liam Coltman is at hooker with Ged Robinson on the bench.

Lock Jarrad Hoeata returns to the team in what will be his 50th Super Rugby game after debuting in 2010 for the Chiefs against the Lions. John Hardie starts ahead of Shane Christie on the flank.

Hayden Parker makes his second start at flyhalf with Lima Sopoaga still recovering from a high ankle sprain obtained against the Stormers.

Shaun Treeby starts ahead of Phil Burleigh at inside centre.

Hurricanes – 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c ), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Ben Franks.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Reggie Goodes, 19 Blade Thomson, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Brad Shields, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Alapati Leiua.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Jason Emery, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Aki Seuli, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata, 23 Phil Burleigh.

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images