Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made five changes to his side for tomorrow night's match against the Blues, with All Blacks Andrew Hore and Jimmy Cowan returning to the starting lineup.
Hore's return to the front row is one of two changes in the forward pack with Hoani MacDonald coming into the second-row to replace Nick Crosswell who moves to number eight.
Crosswell replaces Nasi Manu who moves out of the 22 due to injury.
In the backs Cowan starts at halfback and he will link with Chris Noakes at first-five. Aaron Smith and Mike Delany both move to the reserves bench. Kurt Baker also comes into the run-on XV and Siale Piutau drops out of the 22 also due to injury.
Highlanders:
1 Jamie Mackintosh (c)
2 Andrew Hore
3 Ma'afu Fia
4 Jarrad Hoeata
5 Hoani MacDonald
6 Adam Thomson
7 Tim Boys
8 Nick Crosswell
9 Jimmy Cowan
10 Chris Noakes
11 Hosea Gear
12 Phil Burleigh
13 Tamati Ellison
14 Kurt Baker
15 Ben Smith
