The Highlanders team to play the Blues in Dunedin on Friday night has five changes from the 15 that started in the Super Rugby win over the Crusaders in Nelson last Saturday night.
Jason Rutledge comes back into the front row at hooker, replacing Mo Schwalger while Jarrad Hoeata moves back into lock to make way for Adam Thomson on the blindside flank.
Tom Donnelly moves back to the bench and Alando Soakai replaces John Hardie at openside flanker.
Jimmy Cowan returns to halfback and Aaron Smith moves to the reserves. Kade Poki also comes back into the backline on the right wing, pushing James Paterson to the bench.
The Blues coach Pat Lam has made two changes with prop Tevita Mailau in for the injured All Black Tony Woodcock and Luke McAlister back at second-five for Benson Stanley.
