Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has made two personnel changes and two positional swaps to his side for Sunday’s clash against the Blues in Dunedin.

In a backline reshuffle, Josh Ioane returns to the flyhalf position in place of Mitch Hunt, who moves to fullback.

That sees Michael Collins shift from No 15 to outside centre, where he replaces Rob Thompson, who in turn drops out of the match 23 altogether.

In a direct swap up front, Jeff  Thwaites comes in at tighthead prop with Siate Tokolahi moving to the bench.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of utility back Bryn Gatland is the only other change among the reserves.

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Highlanders – 15 Mitch Hunt, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Patelesio Tomkinson, 11 Scott Gregory, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 Shannon Frizell, 6 Dillon Hunt, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Jeff  Thwaites, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Jona Nareki.

Photo: Getty Images