Landers' fringe get Crusaders chance
With nine players on international duty, the 30-man squad features a number of replacement provincial players.
Bay of Plenty's Te Aihe Toma and Manawatu's Jamie Booth will make their debuts as Joseph looks to build depth to replace Aaron Smith and Fumiaki Tanaka at scrumhalf. Hame Faiva of Waikato is included for an injured Liam Coltman while Otago midfielders Michael Collins and Faasiu Fuatai provide cover in the midfield.
The game is an important part of the build up for the team as they look to get ready for their road trip to South Africa and Argentina. A squad of 26 players will depart on Saturday to prepare to take on the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Liam Coltman and Alex Ainley were unavailable due to injury while Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Lima Sopoaga (All Blacks), Fumikai Tanaka (Japan) and Patrick Osborne (Fiji) are all on international duty with their respective countries.
Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Jack Wilson, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Ryan Tongia, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Te Aihe Toma, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Shane Christie (captain), 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements – from: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, James Lentjes, Dan Pryor, Jamie Booth, Fletcher Smith, Teihorangi Walden, Michael Collins, Faasiu Fuatai, Hame Faiva, Tom Franklin, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Jackson Hemopo, Craig Millar.
Date: Thursday, June 23
Venue: Centennial Park, Oamaru
Kick-off: 15.00 (03.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
