Highlanders freshen up the pack

 

Ash Dixon and Liam Coltman rotate, with Coltman in the starting XV after two games off the bench. 

 

Mark Reddish earns his third start for the season, with Tom Franklin moving to the bench. 

 

Brendon Edmonds makes way for Kane Hames, who returns to the starting team following five weeks on suspension and a few rounds of club rugby.

Jason Emery will start at inside centre ahead of Shaun Treeby, who takes a break, and Richard Buckman is included in the matchday squad for the first time after being injured in the pre-season.

 

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9  Aaron Smith, 8  Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7  James Lentjes, 6  Elliot Dixon, 5  Joe Wheeler, 4  Mark Reddish, 3  Josh Hohneck, 2  Liam Coltman, 1  Kane Hames.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Pingi Tala’apitaga, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Richard Buckman.

 

Date: Saturday, April 18

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Chris Pollock

Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Mike Lash

TMO: Vinny Munro