Heavy axe for unbeaten Highlanders
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made five changes to his unbeaten team for their Round Five Super Rugby encounter with the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
In the forwards, Chris King comes back into the front row replacing Ma’afu Fia.
Culum Retallick, James Haskell and Doug Tietjens will all make their run-on debuts for this season.
In the backs, Aaron Smith returns to scrumhalf, with World Cup All Black Jimmy Cowan returning to the replacements bench, and Shaun Treeby makes his return from injury.
Elliot Dixon joins the replacements, with John Hardie dropping out of the matchday 22 due to a foot injury.
Those still out with injuries include Jarrad Hoeata (shoulder), Siale Piutau (ankle), Kenny Lynn (neck), John Hardie (foot), Phil Burleigh (leg) and Telusa Veainu (concussion).
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Doug Tietjens, 6 James Haskell, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Buxton Popoali’i.
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Simon Moore (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
