Kane Hames, Liam Coltman and Mark Reddish will start for the Highlanders against the Blues in Dunedin.
Hames returns at loosehead prop having served a five-week suspension for striking Crusaders lock Dominic Bird, Coltman comes in at hooker for Ash Dixon, while Reddish replaces Tom Franklin at No 4 lock.
In the only change to the backline, Jason Emery will start at inside centre ahead of Shaun Treeby, who takes a break.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (c), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Richard Buckman.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
