Highlanders give All Blacks a break

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All three of the Highlanders' All Blacks will be rested for Friday's match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

Aaron Smith has been replaced at scrumhalf by Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata comes in at fullback for Ben Smith, while Richard Buckman will start at outside centre instead of Malakai Fekitoa.

In other changes, Pingi Tala'apitaga will start at tighthead prop with Josh Hohneck moving to the bench, while Shaun Treeby replaces Jason Emery at inside centre.

Highlanders – 15 Trent Renata, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Dan Pryor, 22 Josh Renton, 23 Jason Emery.

Photo: Rob Jefferies/Getty Images

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Simon Borchardt