Highlanders change it up

Josh Renton, Patrick Osborne, Waisake Naholo, Tom Franklin and Matt Faddes - who made a brilliant start to his Highlanders career - are the only starting line-up survivors with All Black Malakai Fekitoa taking their places in the run-on team.

"Obviously we wanted to give our entire squad some game time over the first two games. They have all been training well and deserve a chance to put their best foot forward for selection when the competition starts in a few week," head Coach Jamie Joseph said.

Luke Whitelock has been handed the captain's armband for the Crusaders encounter, taking over from Shane Christie - who starts the game on the bench. Marty Banks has been handed the flyhalf starting role ahead of Lima Sopoaga, who started in Hong Kong,

Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Josh Renton, 8 Luke Whitelock (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.

Replacements - from: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Wheeler, Sio Tomkinson, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Jason Emery, Ryan Tongia, Lima Sopoaga, Elliot Dixon, Shane Christie, Jackson Hemopo.

Date: Thursday, February 11

Venue: Fred Booth Park, Waimumu

Kick-off: 17.45 (04.45 GMT)

Referee: Jamie Nutbrown