Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has made three changes to his starting side to face the Crusaders in Friday's Super Rugby derby in Christchurch.
The Dunedin-based franchise hopes to bounce back from last week's humiliating 45-22 loss to the Chiefs in Fiji and will need to beat the Crusaders to stay in touching distance, with the three teams above them in the New Zealand conference.
With 24 players named, Liam Squire is bracketed with Elliot Dixon, as he works his way back from a shoulder injury sustained in the All Blacks' recent test series with France. A final assessment of his fitness will be made closer to kick-off.
Elsewhere, Mauger has opted to start Richard Buckman on the left wing, replacing Tevita Li, while Liam Coltman will start at hooker in place of co-captain Ash Dixon.
The Highlanders beat the Crusaders 25-17 when the two foes faced off earlier in the season, but the Christchurch side have won 10 straight games since that defeat.
Highlanders: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Siate Tokolahi, 4-Jackson Hemopo, 5-Tom Franklin, 6-Elliot Dixon/Liam Squire, 7-James Lentjes, 8-Luke Whitelock, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Lima Sopoaga, 11-Richard Buckman, 12-Teihorangi Walden, 13-Rob Thompson, 14-Waisake Naholo, 15-Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements: 16-Ash Dixon (cc), 17-Aki Seiuli, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Pari Pari Parkinson, 20-Elliot Dixon/ Shannon Frizell, 21-Kayne Hammington, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Fletcher Smith
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