All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has been rested from the Highlanders squad to the Lions in Dunedin on Saturday.
Smith has been replaced in the Highlanders line-up by Kane Hammington and will not dress for the match. Josh Renton will provide halfback cover off the bench.
Other changes in the starting line-up will see Daniel Lienert-Brown replace Aki Seiuli at prop, Elliot Dixon and James Lentijes subbing in for Shannon Frizell and Dillon Hunt on the side of the scrum, and Tevita Nabura on the wing, instead of Sio Tomkinson.
Blues first-five Bryn Gatland signs on with Highlanders
The southerners have returned from South Africa, after their 38-12 defeat by the Sharks last weekend, but face perhaps an even tougher test at home from the Super Rugby runners-up over the past two seasons.
The Lions have continued their dominance of the South African conference this season, sitting seven points clear with six wins from 11 outings. They're coming off a 28-19 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington last Saturday.
The line-up is:
Highlanders: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Alex Ainley, 5-Tom Franklin, 6-Elliot Dixon, 7-James Lentjes, 8-Luke Whitelock, 9-Kayne Hammington, 10-Lima Sopoaga, 11-Tevita Nabura, 12-Teihorangi Walden, 13-Rob Thompson, 14-Waisake Naholo, 15-Ben Smith
Reserves: 16-Ash Dixon, 17-Aki Seiuli, 18-Kalolo Tuiloma, 19-Josh Dickson, 20-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 21-Josh Renton, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Sio Tomkinson
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Join us at 7:35pm Saturday for live updates of the Highlanders vs Lions Super rugby clash.
