Hooker Andrew Hore has been restored to the starting side but fellow All Black Tamati Ellison is out with a hamstring injury for the Highlanders' match against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night (9.30pm).
Hore came off the bench in last week's 27-21 defeat to the Chiefs but will start in the No 2 jersey in place of Jason Rutledge. Ellison suffered a hamstring injury in that match with the Chiefs and his place at centre will be taken by Siali Piutau.
Jimmy Cowan also replaces Aaron Smith at halfback and Josh Bekhuis wears the number four ahead of Jarrad Hoeata.
Those changes are among the four coach Jamie Joseph has made against the Reds. James Haskell will start at openside flanker in place of Tim Boys, who moves to the reserves, and Mike Delany comes in at first five-eighths in place of Chris Noakes.
Highlanders team to play the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Friday (9.30pm NZT): Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Siali Piutau, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, James Haskell, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Josh Bekhuis, Ma'afu Fia, Andrew Hore, Jamie Mackintosh (c). Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Jarrad Hoeata, Tim Boys, Aaron Smith, Chris Noakes, Kenny Lynn.
