Highlanders overhauled for Brumbies
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has overhauled his team for this Friday's Round 11 Super Rugby encounter with the Brumbies.
Joseph made six changes to the side that beat the Blues last week, as they head across the Tasman Sea to Canberra.
All three the Highlanders' All Blacks have been omitted – as the franchise fulfil the obligation to rest their key international players for at least two games this season.
Added to that a mounting injury list – including seven forwards unavailable for this fixture – means that the Highlanders' depth will certainly be put to the test in Canberra.
Pingi Tala'apitaga earns a start at tighthead prop, with Josh Hohneck moving to the bench.
Tom Franklin returns to the starting team at lock for the injured Mark Reddish.
In the backs Trent Renata will make his 2015 debut at fullback in place of Ben Smith, while Japanese international Fumiaki Tanaka replaces Aaron Smith at scrumhalf.
Shaun Treeby and Richard Buckman will combine for the first time in the midfield – with Malakai Fekitoa being rested.
Gareth Evans returns to the matchday 23 on a replacement bench that features a split of six forwards and two backs – with lock Joe Latta and scrumhalf Josh Renton poised to make their Super Rugby debuts.
Among those unavailable through injury are Shane Christie (hamstring), Ross Geldenhuys (thumb), Daniel Lienert-Brown (knee), John Hardie (ankle), Hayden Parker (shoulder), Alex Ainley (jaw) and Mark Reddish (ankle).
Both teams' jerseys will feature poppies in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli and ANZAC Day. The kick-off has also been delayed by 20 minutes to cater for the for pre-match programme.
Highlanders: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Nasi Manu (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Dan Pryor, 22 Josh Renton, 23 Jason Emery.
Date: Friday, April 24
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.55 (21.55 NZ time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Matt O'Brien (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
