The Highlanders coach Jamie Jospeh has made just a couple of changes to his team to take on the Western Force in their Super Rugby game in Perth on Saturday night.
The Highlanders fullback and captain Ben Smith celebrates a try with his team-mates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Both Waisake Naholo and Shaun Treeby return from injury to the starting team with Naholo back on the wing and Treeby coming into the second-five position.
Utility back, Richard Buckman, moves to cover on the bench and the forward/back split returns to the standard 5:3.
Elliot Dixon is unavailable for selection this week returning back to New Zealand for the birth of his first child pending.
This will be the third game on the road for the Highlanders as they look to firm up their position heading into the final rounds of the Super Rugby competition.
After playing the Force the team then heads home to play the Chiefs in Invercargill on Saturday 30th May in what is shaping up as an exciting encounter with the teams currently on even points.
Co-Captain, Ben Smith, will achieve a Super Rugby century when he takes the field on Saturday night and becomes only the fourth Highlander to rack up 100 games all wearing the Highlanders jersey.
Loose forward, and Highlanders stalwart, John Hardie will also achieve a milestone on Saturday playing his 50th Super Rugby game for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders share second spot in the New Zealand Conference with the Chiefs.
Highlanders:
1. Brendon Edmonds
2. Liam Coltman
3. Josh Hohneck
4. Alex Ainley
5. Mark Reddish
6. Gareth Evans
7. John Hardie
8. Nasi Manu (co-captain)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith (co-captain)
Reserves:
16. Ash Dixon
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Tom Franklin
20. Dan Pryor
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Richard Buckman
23. Marty Banks
