Highlanders hit the panic button
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph hit the panic button, making seven changes to the team to play the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
Brad Thorn, the oldest man ever to play Super Rugby, will captain the side – with out-of-form veteran hooker Andrew Hore axed.
There will be a completely new front row – with Tony Woodcock, Liam Coltman and Ma'afu Fia starting.
Josh Bekhuis returns from a shoulder injury and will join Thorn in the second row.
TJ Ioane will start on the blindside flank, with Joe Wheeler moving to the replacement bench.
In the backline, flyhalf Hayden Parker will start, with All Black Colin Slade moving to the replacement bench.
All Black Ma'a Nonu makes his return to the team after, missing the tour of South Africa due to a knee injury, replacing Shaun Treeby – who suffered a head knock last week.
The final backline change is Jason Emery who comes in for Tino Nemani, who moves to the bench and is bracketed with Trent Renata.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Jason Emery, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 John Hardie, 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Brad Thorn (captain), 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Tino Nemani/Trent Renata.
Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 17.40 (21.40 NZ time; 09.40 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Michael Hogan (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
