Rugby: Highlanders name side

Lima Sopoaga. Photo / Getty Images

The Highlanders team to play the Hurricanes on Friday in the opening match of the Super Rugby competition has been named.

Jamie Mackintosh will captain a new look Highlanders side with five players making their debuts. In the forward pack, David Te Moana and Jarrad Hoeata will make their first appearances, while in the backline Lima Sopoaga, Kade Poki and Shaun Treeby will all run-on for their first cap.

Brayden Mitchell, Aaron Smith and Siale Piutau will join the Highlanders reserves for the first time and will make their debuts from the bench.

Highlanders:
1 Jamie Mackintosh (C), 2 Jason Rutledge, 3 David Te Moana, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 8 Nasi Manu, 9 Jimmy Cowan (VC), 10 Lima Sopoaga, 11 Kade Poki, 12 Shaun Treeby, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 14 James Paterson, 15 Ben Smith

Bench: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Robbie Robinson, Siale Piutau

- Herald online