Highlanders change it up
Josh Renton, Patrick Osborne, Waisake Naholo, Tom Franklin and Matt Faddes – who made a brilliant start to his Highlanders career – are the only starting line-up survivors with All Black Malakai Fekitoa taking their places in the run-on team.
"Obviously we wanted to give our entire squad some game time over the first two games. They have all been training well and deserve a chance to put their best foot forward for selection when the competition starts in a few week," head Coach Jamie Joseph said.
Luke Whitelock has been handed the captain's armband for the Crusaders encounter, taking over from Shane Christie – who starts the game on the bench. Marty Banks has been handed the flyhalf starting role ahead of Lima Sopoaga, who started in Hong Kong,
Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Josh Renton, 8 Luke Whitelock (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements – from: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Wheeler, Sio Tomkinson, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Jason Emery, Ryan Tongia, Lima Sopoaga, Elliot Dixon, Shane Christie, Jackson Hemopo.
Date: Thursday, February 11
Venue: Fred Booth Park, Waimumu
Kick-off: 17.45 (04.45 GMT)
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown
