Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will make his long-awaited return in the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby Pacific crunch match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Suaalii has been sidelined since the opening game of the season with a nagging toe injury but will make his comeback at Sky Stadium on Friday in a huge boost for the Waratahs' hopes of snapping a decade-long losing run in the New Zealand capital.
The Waratahs have won three out of their four games in Suaalii's absence but coach Dan McKellar had no hesitation naming Australian rugby's code-crossing $5 million man for the vital round-seven showdown.
Deployed at fullback in the opener, Suaalii will start at outside centre, replacing Henry O'Donnell, in one of six changes to the Tahs' starting XV following last week's 29-23 home win over the ACT Brumbies.
"Joseph has trained really well over the past couple of weeks and has done a great job in rehab," McKellar said on Wednesday.
"It has been a frustrating period for him, but he's ready to go, and we're excited to see him back on the field.
"Positionally, we want to see how he goes at 13. The initial plan was for him to play fullback but, given he's been out for five weeks, we feel outside centre is the best spot for him this week."
Hooker Julian Heaven has been named for his first season start, replacing Mahe Vailanu, who broke his arm in the drought-breaking win over the Brumbies.
Miles Amatosero returns from a back injury to start as right lock, with Ben Grant his partner in place of stand-in skipper Hugh Sinclair.
Darby Lancaster has been selected on the right wing, pushing Max Jorgensen to fullback in place of the rested Andrew Kellaway.
Archie Saunders comes into the starting line-up on the left wing for his Waratahs debut, replacing Triston Reilly, who has a shoulder injury.
Inside centre Joey Walton has been named as the 179th Waratahs captain with Sinclair also spelled.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has made four changes to his side to take on the Highlanders at GIO Stadium on Friday night.
Lock Lachlan Shaw, flanker Rory Scott, scrum half Harrison Goddard and centre David Feliuai all return to the starting line-up, the latter having completed his comeback from a concussion suffered against the Fijian Drua two weeks ago.
"We wanted to keep things fresh heading into this match, which is a must win for us, along with every other game remaining in the competition," Larkham said.
"The pace and intensity of Super Rugby has increased this year, so it's important we are giving players a rest when the opportunity arises."
Hooker Liam Bowron and scrum half Klayton Thorn have both been named as substitutes and could make their first appearances of the season.
Queensland will roll out a third captain in as many weeks, with Ryan Smith to lead the side and regular skipper Tate McDermott to return off the bench against the Western Force in Brisbane on Saturday.
Halfback McDermott was rested for last week's impressive win over the HIghlanders in Dunedin, Harry Wilson stepping up stoically in his place.
But back-rower and Wallabies captain Wilson will sit out, having played every minute of every game this season.
Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight has also been rested after missing last week's clash with a shoulder complaint while co-captain Liam Wright (shoulder) remains out.
The Force, fresh off a resounding defeat of the Drua, welcome back Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch to a stable squad featuring in-form former Red MacGrealy at fullback.
