The Highlanders' coach Jamie Joseph has made six changes including resting his three All Blacks for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Halfback Aaron Smith, centre Malakai Fekitoa and fullback Ben Smith all get their first game of this season as a part of the 2 matches the All Blacks are required to stand down.
Added to that a mounting injury list including seven forwards unavailable for this fixture means that the Highlanders' depth will certainly be put to the test in Canberra.
Prop Pingi Tala'apitaga earns a start with Josh Hohneck moving to the bench, lock Tom Franklin returns to the starting team for the injured Mark Reddish, while in the backs Trent Renata will make his 2015 debut at fullback while, Japanese international, Fumiaki Tanaka replaces Aaron Smith at halfback.
Shaun Treeby and Richard Buckman will combine for the first time in the midfield.
Gareth Evans returns to the playing 23 on the reserves bench that features a 6:2 split with lock Joe Latta and halfback Josh Renton poised to make their Super Rugby debuts.
Highlanders team to play the Brumbies....
1. Kane Hames
2. Liam Coltman
3. Pingi Tala'apitaga
4. Tom Franklin
5. Joe Wheeler
6. Elliot Dixon
7. James Lentjes
8. Nasi Manu (C)
9. Fumiaki Tanaka
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Richard Buckman
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Trent Renata
Reserves:
16. Ash Dixon
17. Brendon Edmonds
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Joe Latta
20. Gareth Evans
21. Dan Pryor
22. Josh Renton
23. Jason Emery
Unavailable: Shane Christie (hamstring), Ross Geldenhuys (thumb), Daniel Lienert-Brown (knee), John Hardie (ankle), Hayden Parker (shoulder), Alex Ainley (jaw), Mark Reddish (ankle)