Highlanders shuffle the pack
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After an exciting win in Hamilton last weekend the Highlanders have made a few changes to the starting XV for their Round Five clash against defending champion Waratahs.
Elliot Dixon moves to No.6, after a strong game last week, to make way for Shane Christie who will play his first game of 2015 after receiving a knee injury in the final of the NPC last year.
Tom Franklin comes back into the starting lineup after impressing off the bench and a reshuffle in the front row sees Ross Geldenhuys start while Pingi Tala’apitaga moves on to the bench to cover for Ma’afu Fia who received a knee injury during last week’s game.
The backline is unchanged for both the starting team and the reserves.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Josh Hohneck.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Pingi Tala’apitaga, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 John Hardie, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Jason Emery.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT; 17.35 AEDT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Kane McBride (New Zealand), Mike Lash (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
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