Fijian Api Naikatini will get a taste of top level Super 14 competition after he was named by Hurricanes Coach Colin Cooper in the starting line-up to take on the Blues in the pre-season fixtures on Friday night.

Naikatini will partner new comer, Bryn Evans in the locks, as Cooper looks for a locking partner for All Blacks lock Jason Eaton, when the competition kicks-off next month.

The Navosa lad has been in impressive form for the Wellington franchise during the NPC last year, where they lost to Canterbury in the final.

Cooper has decided to start players like Piri Weepu, Cory Jane, Scott Waldrom, Neemia Tialata and John Schwalger from the bench.