Winger Jona Nareki is the only change to the Highlanders starting side to face the Crusaders in Super Rugby Aotearoa on Sunday.
Nareki, who has come off the bench for the Highlanders' last two matches, replaces left wing Scott Gregory, who misses out altogether.
A six-two bench split between forwards and backs sees prop Daniel Lienert-Brown returning, along with flanker Teariki Ben-Nicholas and midfielder Ngatungane Punivai.
"I didn't feel we did ourselves justice last week, as we allowed the Blues to dominate us early and rack up some points," says Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger. "We were better in the back half, but it was too late.
"Playing the Crusaders, we know we will have to be tuned in from the very start, but it's another great opportunity for our guys to prove themselves against the competition leaders."
The Highlanders are out of contention for the Super Rugby Aotearoa title, but a win over the Crusaders would keep the Hurricanes and Blues in the hunt heading into the final week of the competition.
If the Crusaders win, they will be crowned champions.
Earlier this season, the Crusaders beat the Highlanders 40-20 and they've won their last five meetings between the two sides.
The Highlanders have not won in Christchurch since 2015, while their last win against their southern rivals was in 2018.
Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt
Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Ngatungane Punivai, 23-Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Join us for live updates of the Crusaders v Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa clash from 3:35pm Sunday
