Joseph shuffles pack for Lions

Josh Hohneck and Tom Franklin get a break fron the starting 23 while Shane Christie and Elliot Dixon move to the bench. Siosiua Halnukonuka will get his first start while Alex Ainley replaces Franklin in the second row.

Luke Whitelock moves from No.8 to blindside flank making way for Liam Squire at the back of the scrum. Dan Pryor will start at openside giving the pack a great deal of mobility in what is expected to be a fast paced game.

In the backs hard running centre Rob Thompson will make his debut for the Highlanders and Jason Emery, who performed well last week, will again look to make impact from the bench. Ben Smith will captain the side.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Shane Christie, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Hayden Parker.

Date: Saturday, March 12

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Kick-off: 19.35 (08.35 SA Time; 06.35 GMT)

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)