Defending Investec Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes are almost back to full strength as they enter the final phases of their pre-season build-up.

They will travel to Auckland for their first warm-up game of the season, against the Blues on Saturday.

The returning All Blacks fitted in with what the side had been doing by way of preparation. They would not be featuring in early season games for another fortnight.

Assistant coach John Plumtree said the Hurricanes will be taking a large squad to Auckland and everyone who has been involved in the pre-season preparations will have a chance to play.

"It will be an opportunity for some young guys to put their hands up and, of course, it is an opportunity for the guys who are established to get some important game time," he said.

The game itself was a chance to apply what they had been working on in practice and in the face of live tackling.

Plumtree said lock James Broadhurst was still working his way back from a long break out of the game due to concussion but there was no indication when he would be available for consideration for selection.

"It's something you can't put a timeline on and James is going through the process. Obviously it is hard for him and it is hard for us. We would love to have him back but certainly there is no pressure from our side to get him back in as much as we'd love to have him back," he said.

"A big part of pre-season is about the trainers, our fitness coaches doing their bit. They are always looking to strive to get this side fitter and stronger and you've got to give them that opportunity.

"The coaches just want to get the boys out on the field and come out with strategies and work on our rugby, but their responsibility is to get the players stronger and fitter. They are always going to come up with different ways of doing things and the players really enjoy that too.

"The boys are fit and they've enjoyed this pre-season but it will be good to get into some game time," he said.

Altitude training has featured in the team's build-up this year and Plumtree said he had one visit into the altitude chamber and he said that would be the only one.

"I went once and I'm going to stick to once. It was tough," he said.

The involvement in the Brisbane 10s provided a conditioning aspect to the build-up for those partaking and also for the players to enjoy themselves.

"I think it will be a spectacle because I think every team will have that attitude and it should be a lot of fun for everyone to watch," he said.