Hobbs, 22, will make his first start for his new franchise, taking over from Matt Berquist who was injured in the first round loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last Saturday.
And it will be just his third match at Carisbrook, with the previous two being for Queensland under-19, when he was a member of the state academy, and Wellington in 2008.
Hobbs scored all 17 points, two converted tries and a penalty, when he came on as a replacement for the Highlanders last week.
It was an especially notable game for him, his first competitive match since April last year, after three stress fractures in his back curtailed his season with the Blues.
"I couldn't run, couldn't kick, couldn't do anything. It was very frustrating," Hobbs recalled.
He used the time to complete a commerce degree in accounting and finance at Victoria University and received a medical clearance late last year which enabled him to join the Highlanders for the pre-season. "It was good to feel fit and involved again," he said of the match against the Crusaders.
"The body held up well and there were some pleasing aspects. I was a bit rusty in a few things but, overall, it was quite a good start." Hobbs said his aim for the Super 14 was to add value to the Highlanders.
"There's 20 players back from last year so they've got quite a good core here. I just want to put my two cents in when it's needed, and toe the line when that is called for." Hobbs will play at first five-eighth on Friday night but he has played much of his rugby one place further out.
"I don't really have s preference," he said.
"I played all my footy at 10 growing up. In recent years I've played more at 12. There's less pressure at 12, that's for sure, but I would really like to make a good fist of the No 10 position." Hobbs is excited about opposing his teammates of last year.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"I've got a lot of respect for their players and management. I've got some good friends in the Blues and it will be a good tussle.
"The talent the Blues have in their squad is unbelievable. There is an abundance of players of talent in most positions and they can really put on a show when everything clicks for them." Hobbs said the Highlanders had to start better than they did against the Crusaders.
"We can't afford to let the Blues to get out to a 15-0 lead, as happened last week. We didn't use the ball at all in the first half hour against the Crusaders. We need to show what we've got as well.
"There is a lot of skill and talent in this team and we need to make sure we put in out on the field." Hobbs said it was especially important to beat the Blues with the Highlanders to leave at the weekend for a three-match tour of South Africa.
"I'd love to see a big crowd at Carisbrook. You can't over-estimate how much effect it has on the team. And there is the Gordon Hunter Trophy which we would like to get back.
"It's a really big game. It would make the trip to South Africa a whole lot more pleasant if we could get a win under our belts." NZPA WGT be dg
