Slade is back ... at last

Injury-prone All Black flyhalf Colin Slade makes his long awaited return to the Highlanders starting XV when they play the Hurricanes at in Dunedin tomorrow on Friday.

In all five changes have been made to the run-on XV that played the Cheetahs in Invercargill last Saturday.

In the backs Slade - who appears to have finally overcome the succession of injuries that have plagued him in the last three years - will be joined by debutant Jason Emery, who will start at outside centre.

In the forwards, Chris King plays his 99th game of Super Rugby.

Jarrad Hoeata comes back into the starting pack and he is joined by Elliot Dixon at No.8.

Among the reserves TJ Ioane comes into the Highlanders' 22 for the first time.

Players missing the game through injury include Tim Boys (back strain, expected back in two weeks), Hugh Blake (shoulder - three weeks), Tamati Ellison (shoulder - two to three months), Nasi Manu (foot - three to four months), Jamie Mackintosh (back - one week), Ma'a Nonu (knee - one week) and Shaun Treeby (hamstring - four to six weeks).

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 Jake Paringatai, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Buxton Popoalii.

Date: Friday, March 15

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)

Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)

TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)