Highlanders go with tried an tested
Daniel Lienert-Brown and Alex Ainley both return to the starting team after recovering from injury. Josh Hohneck moves to the bench and is joined by Liam Coltman who has recovered from a lengthy break to provide cover on the bench.
Malakai Fekitoa returns to inside centre and reunites with Matt Faddes at centre to reform what was a very effective midfield combination prior to the June break.
Jamie Joseph has also gone for a six forward two back split on the bench highlighting perhaps that the anticipated fast pace of the game will require regular fresh legs to be injected into the match.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Dan Pryor, 22 Te Aihe Toma, 23 Fletcher Smith.
Date: Saturday, July 16
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealan
