Loni Uhila

But the giant prop will soon be ripping up turf on French soil after Waikato's Mitre 10 Cup season ends for a two-year deal with France's Top 14 champions, Clermont Auvergne.

Uhila is back in Hamilton for another stint with his beloved Mooloos before heading overseas after spending the last two Super Rugby seasons with the Hurricanes.

The 'Tongan Bear' returns to Waikato's front row in their only change of personnel for Friday's visit of Counties Manukau after their opening round defeat (34-29) in Taranaki.

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made just two changes to the team that started last Saturday's win over the Melbourne Rebels in Wellington.

Uhila, popularly known as The Tongan Bear, pushes Chris Eves to the reserves and Mike Kainga out of the match day 23, while Abbott makes a straight swap with James Blackwell, who takes his place on the bench.

French club Clermont have signed Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila to a one-year deal.

Nicknamed the "Tongan Bear", the 27-year-old will leave New Zealand at the end of next year's Super Rugby season.

Uhila, whose smash-mouth hits and bulldozing runs were on show during the Hurricanes' run to a maiden title earlier this year, has an option to extend the deal by two further seasons,

He will bring his physicality to Clermont's front-row, and joins halfback Greig Laidlaw and winger Remy Grosso in signing with the Top 14 side ahead of next year.