Highlanders change as Bulls arrive
Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph has made four changes to the run-on team to face the Bulls in Dunedin on Saturday, following their Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes last week.
Captain Jamie Mackintosh comes back into the engine room, and livewire hooker Jason Rutledge will join his skipper in the starting XV in place of veteran All Black Andrew Hore.
Tim Boys will start at openside flank, shifting with Nick Crosswell to lock and Josh Bekhuis has been bracketed with Hoani MacDonald on the bench.
Mike Delany will start at pivot this week and Chris Noakes moves back to the reserves.
Scott Fuglistaller joins the Highlanders as permanent cover for John Hardie and makes the 22 this week.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Siale Piutau, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hoani MacDonald/Jos Bekhuis, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn.
Date: Saturday, May 19
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 17.30 (05.30 GMT)
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Matthew Muir (New Zealand)