Baker gets Highlanders' chance
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Kurt Baker will start at left wing when the Highalanders take on the Force in their Fifth Round Super Rugby clash in Dunedin on Saturday.
The 25-year-old former New Zealand Sevens star will make his first Highlanders appearance since 2012 and returns to the franchise where he made his Super Rugby debut, after being part of the Crusaders training squad last year – although he didn't play a game for the Christchurch outfit.
Baker's inclusion sees outside centre Winston Stanley drop out of the matchday 23-man squad altogether, and Malakai Fekitoa move back into the number 13 jersey after playing left wing in the Highlanders 19-21 loss to the Chiefs last time out.
The change should suit Fekitoa, as he impressed at outside centre in the Dunedin-based side's season-opening 29-21 win over the Blues.
The other changes see Shane Christie replace John Hardie at openside flank, with Hardie shifting across the scrum to blindside flank at the expense of Gareth Evans – who loses his place in the matchday squad.
Elliot Dixon comes onto the bench to take Christie's place.
Hooker Ged Robinson and flyhalf Hayden Parker take over positions on the replacements bench from Brayden Mitchell and Trent Renata respectively.
Imposing lock Brad Thorn's rib injury should keep him out of action for one more week, while wing Patrick Osborne is expected to be back in the selection frame in two weeks time.
The Highlanders come into the game off the back of their bye, while the Force hammered the Rebels 32-7 in Perth last week.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kurt Baker, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 John Hardie, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Craig Millar, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh.
Date: Saturday, March 15
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT; 14.35 AWST)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Ben O'Keefe (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
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