Sopoaga blow for Highlanders
The Highlanders suffered a major blow with the news that Lima Sopoaga has been ruled out for the next few weeks with an ankle sprain.
He is expected to remain on the sidelines till at least Round 15 with the injury sustained in the one-point loss to the Stormers in Cape Town last week.
Hayden Parker will make his first start of the season when he plays at No.10 against the Lions in Dunedin on Saturday.
The other change in the backline sees Jason Emery also gets his first start of the season.
Prop Ma'afu Fia gets a start at tighthead, but the rest of the forward pack is unchanged.
After a successful trip to South Africa, where the Highlanders returned to New Zealand with seven points out of a possible 10, they now look to knock over a Lions team coming off a 30-point loss to the Chiefs last week.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jason Emery, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Kane Hames, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Trent Renata, 23 Gareth Evans.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT; 09.35 SA time)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
