Contracted Hurricanes midfielder Danny Toala is one of three Hawke's Bay rugby players in the Canes under-20 team to take on the Blues under-20s in Saturday's McLean Park curtainraiser.
Second five-eighth Toala and lock Liam Mitchell have both been selected as over-age wildcards.
Wellington-based former Napier Boys' High School hooker and 2018 New Zealand Schools rep Tyrone Thompson will also start.
Other Bay players involved are new Central hooker, 2019 New Zealand Schools rep Ben Strang, and 2018 and 2019 world champion New Zealand Secondary Schools sevens player Lattrell Ah Kiong, who are both expected to get game time off the bench.
Manawatu-based first five-eighth, Stu Cruden, a Taradale age group product, will also be on the Canes' subs bench.