Highlanders and Waratahs largely unchanged

A two-week break hasn't changed the thinking of the Highlanders and Waratahs, who have barely changed their teams for Friday night's Super 14 match in Dunedin.

The second-placed Waratahs will bring an identical side to Carisbrook to the one which hammered the Brumbies while the Highlanders have made just one switch to the team who lost to the Hurricanes.

That change sees Richard Kahui come onto the left wing in place of Vilimoni Delasau, who is dropped.

Both teams had their bye rounds last weekend, the last sides to do so.

The Highlanders are eighth with three rounds remaining and a loss would extinguish their already-slim semifinal hopes.

Second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua will play his last game at Carisbrook in a Highlanders jersey. He announced this week he will join London Irish on a two-year contract after completing the domestic season with Otago in October.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie hoped his side would show no ill-effects of their time off.

"This is the final run home and we have to hit the ground running on Friday," McKenzie said.

"We had a good win against the Brumbies and the bye gave us the chance to freshen up and refocus for the next part of the competition."

A 24-man Waratahs squad were to leave Sydney for New Zealand this morning, with Ben Jacobs and Leroy Houston also travelling for the two-match tour against the Highlanders and Chiefs.

Captain and halfback Chris Whitaker will play his 115th match for New South Wales on Friday, moving him level with Matthew Burke as the state's most capped players.

Highlanders:
Ben Blair, Ben Smith, Neil Brew, Seilala Mapusua, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Jimmy Cowan, Craig Newby, Josh Blackie, Hale T-Pole, Filipo Levi, Tom Donnelly, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver (captain), Clarke Dermody.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Kane Thompson, Tim Boys, Chris Smylie, Ryan Bambry, Roy Kinikinilau.

Waratahs:
Peter Hewat, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Sam Norton-Knight, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker (captain), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Shaun Berne

- NZPA