All Blacks Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will return to the Canterbury starting line-up for their top of the table provincial clash with Hawke's Bay in Napier on Thursday night.
Both players came off the bench to help defend the Ranfurly Shield against Manawatu last weekend.
McCaw's playing number eight in Kieran Read's absence while Carter's starting at first-five as Stephen Brett's also injured.
McCaw says game time's important for the All Blacksahed of the end of year tour and his and Carter's presence is also an indication of the threat Hawkes Bay pose.
