Noakes has been dropped twice this season already after starting in the away defeats against the Highlanders and Lions.
Now he gets another turn in the Blues' match tomorrow against the Hurricanes in Wellington, with Hickey paying the price for his performance in the defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra.
Hickey admitted to being disappointed yesterday at the decision but the 20-year-old, who had quickly overtaken Noakes as the first-choice No10 at the Blues, could console himself with the thought he will probably get another chance sooner rather than later.
Noakes, however, is determined not to let that happen.
"Watching the last few weeks has been frustrating - you always want to play," he said. "I'm excited about being back."
Noakes, an almost ever-present at No10 last season before his neck injury, said he had worked on his game and had re-gained confidence by playing for his University club and the Blues development team.
"A lot of it was urgency around attack - [to] be a bit more aggressive at the line to enable our outsides to have more time on the ball without as many defenders in front of them.
"Simon has certainly taken his opportunities and played really well so he's set the mark where we need to be. I need to get there and hopefully above so he has to pick himself up a little bit higher and our team is winning more games than it's losing."
Blues coach John Kirwan said the challenge of playing the Hurricanes at what would probably be a wet and windy Cake Tin suited Noakes' game and insisted Hickey hadn't been discarded.
"No, not at all. I think it was the greatest learning he could have had. It was a hard evening for him, he'll come out of it a better player. We still think he his a huge part of our future but we think Noakesy is the right person to play against the Hurricanes.
"I just think we need a bit more direction under pressure... someone that will drive us around the football paddock and implement the game plan that we need to play."
Hickey won't make the trip after missing a place on the reserves bench. The under-employed Benji Marshall will cover first-five and fullback.
The battle of the first-fives will likely play an important part tomorrow. Beauden Barrett is approaching his best form for the Hurricanes, who have won their past two games. Halfback TJ Perenara also appears to have got his mojo back - facing him will be the inexperienced Bryn Hall, who also had a tough time of it in Canberra.
The Blues, however, will field a strong pack with hooker Keven Mealamu back from his calf injury and Tom Donnelly and Patrick Tuipulotu returning from respective calf and knee injuries. Wing Lolagi Visinia gets his first start of the season when starting ahead of Frank Halai, who has been underwhelming recently.
Kirwan will also put the onus on Ma'a Nonu to take the pressure off Noakes after a quiet game against the Brumbies.
Blues team to play the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium tomorrow (Friday), kick-off 7.35pm is: Charles Piutau, George Moala, Francis Saili, Ma'a Nonu, Lolagi Visinia, Chris Noakes, Bryn Hall, Jerome Kaino, Luke Braid (c), Steven Luatua, Tom Donnelly, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Liaki Moli, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Benji Marshall, Frank Halai.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (c), Alapati Leiua, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Reg Goodes. Reserves: Motu Matu'u, Chris Eves, John Schwalger, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Chris Smylie, Tim Bateman, Matt Proctor.
- By Patrick McKendry of APNZ
