The Highlanders have named their team to take on the Chiefs this Friday night at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. in a match they must win to keep track with the Super Rugby leaders.
Head coach Jamie Joseph has made five changes to the run-on team that played the Crusaders at AMI Stadium a month ago.
Four changes have been made to the Highlanders forward pack with Ma’afu Fia returning to the front row replacing Chris King, who drops to the reserves. Jason Rutledge also starts this week with All Black Andrew Hore joining front row partner King in the reserves. Nick Crosswell starts at lock in place of Josh Bekhuis who started against the Crusaders.
The final change in the forwards is Tim Boys who will start at openside flanker ahead of James Haskell.
In the backs only one change has been made with Kade Poki returning to the starting XV on the right wing in place of Kurt Baker.
Highlanders v Chiefs, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Friday 29 June, 7.35pm: 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c) 2 Jason Rutledge 3 Ma’afu Fia 4 Jarrad Hoeata 5 Nick Crosswell 6 Adam Thomson 7 Tim Boys 8 Nasi Manu 9 Aaron Smith 10 Chris Noakes 11 Hosea Gear 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Kade Poki 15 Ben Smith Reserves 16 Andrew Hore 17 Chris King 18 Josh Bekhuis 19 James Haskell 20 Jimmy Cowan 21 Mike Delany 22 Buxton Popoali’i.
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