All Blacks Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu are named in the Hurricanes team to play the Highlanders on Friday night.

Nonu missed the last two matches after fracturing his eye socket while Weepu makes his long awaited return from a broken leg suffered in last years national provincial championship.

Nonu and Weepu are the only changes to the Hurricanes side that lost to the Blues last weekend.

Meanwhile the injury hit Crusaders side will welcome back All Blacks Dan Carter and Richie McCaw for their clash with the Cheetahs on Sunday morning.

Carter returns from a hamstring injury while McCaw's recovered from a concussion.

The Hurricanes play the Highlanders on Friday at 7.35pm.

Story by: Dreu Vukailagi