'Settled' Highlanders get serious skills back
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Highlanders will approach their Super Rugby quarterfinal encounter with the Crusaders with a settled looking side.
There are two changes from their Round 18 win over the Waratahs.
Tevita Li makes way for Sio Tomkinson on the left wing.
Ben Smith, who hasn’t played a game since the beginning of May because of a hamstring injury, returns at fullback.
Smith, the Highlanders’ most capped player, has been working hard to get back on the field over the last six weeks and his timely return will be a boost for the southern side as they prepare to take on the nine-time champion Crusaders.
Elsewhere Daniel Lienert-Brown rotates with Ayden Johnstone in the front row and they maintained a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench.
Tevita Nabura (knee), Richard Buckman (Achilles) and Bryn Gatland (foot) miss out as a result of season-ending injuries.
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Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patelesio Tomkinson, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (co-captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Elliot Dixon.
Date: Friday, June 21
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
