Rugby: Highlanders make just the one change

The Highlanders will take on the Queensland Reds in a Super 14 rugby match at Invercargill on Saturday night with just one change to the run-on side that beat the Bulls.

Coach Glenn Moore has given Josh Bekhuis a hometown start after the lock sat out the start of the match against the Bulls.

He will replace Manawatu lock Hayden Triggs, who got the chance to impress friends and family at Palmerston North two weeks ago, in a 32-12 win which ended the South African side's unbeaten run.

Moore has resisted tinkering with a backline that has served him well in the past two games, which saw the Highlanders beat the Cheetahs 32-8 the week before the Bulls game.

Skipper Jimmy Cowan starts at halfback, Matthew Berquist and Daniel Bowden take up the five-eighths positions with Jason Shoemark at centre and Israel Dagg at fullback - all scored a try each against the Bulls.

Kendrick Lynn and Ben Smith complete the back three.

With Lynn holding on to the No 11 jersey, dynamic winger Fetu'u Vainikolo once again warms the bench.

TEAMS

Highlanders:

Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Daniel Bowden, Kendrick Lynn, Mathew Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), George Naoupu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh.

Reserves:

Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Hayden Triggs, Steven Setephano, Sean Romans, Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Reds:

Mark McLinden, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Brando Va'aulu, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas; Ezra Taylor, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill (captain), Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes.

Reserves:

Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Adam Byrnes, Leroy Houston, Brendan McKibbin, Charlie Fetoai, Luke Morahan.

- NZPA