A desperate Highlanders side have been boosted by the return of two All Blacks for their penultimate Super Rugby match of the 2019 regular season.
Liam Squire will suit up for the first time this season, after recovering from shoulder and hip injuries, while he also missed the last two weeks through personal reasons.
Joining Squire up front is Jackson Hemopo, who was capped three times in a black jersey during the 2018 season.
The Highlanders are on the outside looking into a playoff spot and must win their final two games to have any chance of qualifying.
Coach Aaron Mauger has also named wing Tavita Li, who returns from a spell in the medical ward.
Captain Luke Whitelock will play his 100th Super Rugby game and his 50th for the Highlanders. The All Blacks number eight will receive a mere from New Zealand Rugby afterwards to acknowledge the milestone.
The clash against the Bulls, will mark the final home appearance of 2015 Super Rugby winner Waisake Naholo, while local favourite Ben Smith will also be farewelled.
Smith has signed for Pau in France after the Rugby World Cup, while Naholo is heading to London Irish.
Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Jackson Hemopo, 5-Tom Franklin, 6-Liam Squire, 7-James Lentjes, 8-Luke Whitelock (c), 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Tavita Li, 12-Patelesio Parkinson, 13-Rob Thompson, 14-Waisake Naholo, 15-Josh McKay
Reserves: 16-Ash Dickson, 17-Sef Fa'agase, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Josh Dickson, 20-Shannon Frizell, 21-Kayne Hammington, 22-Marty Banks, 23-Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Newshub.
Join us at 7:30pm Friday for live updates of the Highlanders v Bulls Super Rugby clash
