Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has named his team for their season-opening Super Rugby derby with the Crusaders in Dunedin on Saturday night.
Seven players are set to make their debuts for the Highlanders, who had a first-round bye, including Josh Hohneck, Ross Geldenhuys and Waisake Naholo, who all make the starting line-up.
Ben Smith will co-captain the Highlanders with Nasi Manu this season Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The team will be co-captained by Nasi Manu and Ben Smith this season.
Joseph has selected from a near fully fit squad with just a hamstring strain keeping flanker Shane Christie out, while the versatile and industrious back Richard Buckman and prop Pingi Tala'apitaga are both unavailable due to knee injuries.
Highlanders:
1. Josh Hohneck
2. Liam Coltman
3. Ross Geldenhuys
4. Tom Franklin
5. Joe Wheeler
6. Elliot Dixon
7. John Hardie
8. Nasi Manu ( c )
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith ( c )
16. Ash Dixon
17. Kane Hames
18. Ma'afu Fia
19. Mark Reddish
20. Dan Pryor
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Jason Emery
23. Marty Banks
Head coach: Jamie Joseph
Assistant coaches: Tony Brown, Scott McLeod
Manager: Paul McLaughlan
