New captain as Highlanders reshuffle
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph defended his decision to rest a number of key players, including three All Blacks, for the crucial Super Rugby trip to Napier.
The Highlanders will field a new captain and a new vice-captain – with Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa all rested.
Japan international Fumiaki Tanaka (at scrumhalf), Marty Banks (at fullback) and Jason Emery (in the midfield) replace the rested All Blacks in the starting team.
Joseph named a side that features six changes to the starting line-up that so impressively defeated the Chiefs (36-9) in Invercargill last Saturday.
Ash Dixon earns a start and the captaincy, while new father Elliot Dixon returns to No.8 and Gareth Evans to the blindside flank.
Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Gareth Evans, Richard Buckman and Ryan Tongia should feel right at home at McLean Park – as they all play for the current Ranfurly Shield holders, Hawkes Bay Magpies.
On the bench Stags scrumhalf Scott Eade could be set for his Highlanders debut, while Kurt Baker makes his second appearance in the playing 23 for 2015 after coming on against the Reds in Round Three.
Apart from resting his three All Blacks, Joseph is also without the services of several injured players – Shane Christie (hamstring), Hayden Parker (shoulder), Joe Wheeler (knee), Kane Hames (knee), Mark Reddish (hand), Nasi Manu (shoulder), Patrick Osborne (calf), Josh Renton (hamstring).
"What's more important for us it that we get as many players as possible ready for the play-offs," Joseph told the New Zealand media.
"Having the depth of squad there is important," he added.
Highlanders: 15 Marty Banks, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Ryan Tongia, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Ash Dixon (captain), 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Scott Eade, 22 Shaun Treeby, 23 Kurt Baker.
Date: Friday, June 5
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Shane McDermott, Paul Williams
TMO: Aaron Paterson
