The Palmerston North Boys' High School product will start alongside Manawatu's Michael Fitzgerald as former Magpie Brodie Retallick and Matt Symons are still on the injured list.
"Matt is my flatmate here in Hamilton. He is a lineout guru, a good bloke to learn things off. We all know Brodie was the best player in the world last year so it's great to learn off him too," Allardice said.
Apart from a couple of stints off the bench and one club game for Hautapu Allardice, 23, has had little rugby this season.
"I was hoping to come back to the Bay and play for Pirates but the Chiefs often train on Sundays and I wouldn't have made it back in time," he said.
Allardice's biggest concern in the buildup to the game was whether or not his partner, Jana Smith of Napier, and family members would make it to Wellington because of the rugged weather conditions.
"My sisters live in Wellington but Jana has to come from Napier and Mum and Dad from Marton."
Abbott said the Canes coaching staff opted for Gibbins ahead of him for the match and it wasn't an injury-related decision. He will still be on standby and will have his playing kit on hand at the Cake Tin in case there is a Canes injury during the warm up.
Chiefs assistant coach and former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry said Allardice has been outstanding when he has taken the field as a sub and he had no doubt he would handle tonight's occasion well.
"Michael is good player with a great attitude and a great work ethic. Obviously he sits behind some quality players here at the Chiefs but he will get plenty of rugby at this level in time to come," Coventry added.
Although Hawke's Bay is a Hurricanes franchise province the Chiefs have more of a Magpies look than their hosts. Former Magpies hooker Hika Elliot and prop Ben Tameifuna will start alongside Allardice and halfback Brad Weber who is a Hawke's Bay age group product.
Magpies utility back Andrew Horrell will be on the Chiefs subs bench. With Abbott out All Black prop Ben Franks is the only Cane who has played for the Magpies in recent years while All Black winger Cory Jane played for the Bay in 2004.
Weber has been in superb form for the Chiefs this season and tonight's duel with All Black TJ Perenara, a teammate of his in the world championship-winning 2011 Baby Blacks, is another opportunity for him to enhance his chances of All Black selection.
Two late changes have been made to the Chiefs side. Second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams has withdrawn with a back strain and winger James Lowe's shoulder injury has flared up again,
Baby Black Anton Lienert-Brown will replace Williams and former All Black Sevens rep Bryce Heem will replace Lowe and Marty McKenzie will replace Heem on the pine.
With Williams out expect the Canes midfield duo of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who are playing their 50th game together for the hosts, to dominate.
