Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward and Michael Fatialofa all come into the starting side after being in the reserves during the Hurricanes 41-6 win over the Western Force in Palmerston North.

Halaholo will start at centre with Vince Aso moving to the reserves, Woodward takes Julian Savea’s place on the left wing, and Fatialofa come in at lock for Blade Thomson, who shifts to No 8 in place of Victor Vito, who will miss the match with a calf strain.

“All three of those guys who have come in will be looking put their hand up and this gives them an opportunity to do that,” Boyd said. “We are very lucky with the depth we have in a number of positions and particularly in the outside backs.

“This is a really important match for us a week out from our first bye. We’ve got some good momentum from our last two matches and it’s vital that we carry that on against the Kings.”

It will be Halaholo and Fatialofa’s first Hurricanes starts. Halaholo has made seven previous appearances off the bench since his debut against the Blues last season, while Fatialofa made his Super Rugby debut against the Force in Palmerston North last Friday.

There are also a number of changes to the reserves where utility back Matt Proctor returns from a knee injury and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and lock Geoff Cridge make their first appearances of the season.

Tahuriorangi has played a limited role in the opening weeks of the season after battling a leg infection picked up during the preseason, while Cridge has recently returned to the field after recovering from a shoulder injury.

In the final change, Loni Uhila comes back into the squad for Reggie Goodes, who took a head knock against the Force.

Hurricanes team to play the Southern Kings at Westpac Stadium on Friday, March 25:

15 James Marshall
14 Cory Jane
13 Willis Halaholo
12 Ngani Laumape
11 Jason Woodward
10 Beauden Barrett
9 TJ Perenara (vc)
8 Blade Thomson
7 Ardie Savea
6 Vaea Fifita
5 Mark Abbott
4 Michael Fatialofa
3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen
2 Dane Coles (c)
1 Chris Eves

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Geoff Cridge, Callum Gibbins,  Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor.

Unavailable due to injury: Nehe Milner-Skudder (shoulder), Brad Shields (lacerated thumb), Victor Vito (calf), Reggie Goodes (concussion)

Courtesy of the Hurricanes