The Highlanders welcome back co-captain Nasi Manu and blockbusting centre Malakai Fekitoa for their qualifier match against the Chiefs at Dunedin on Saturday.
No8 Manu has been out with a shoulder injury, while Fekitoa has had a groin problem. Both are poised to play key roles in front of what will be a capacity crowd under the roof in Dunedin. The winner of the match will play in a semifinal against either the Hurricanes or Stormers.
Interestingly, Jamie Joseph has named Richard Buckman, rather than Shaun Treeby, at second-five. Buckman, normally at outside back, will be up against Sonny Bill Williams in the midfield.
Highlanders team to play Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, is: Ben Smith (c), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (c), Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Mark Reddish, Alex Ainley, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Brendon Edmonds. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Latta, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Shaun Treeby.
