Aki Seiuli and Tevita Li start for Highlanders

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has made a couple of changes with Aki Seiuli getting his first start of the year against the Crusaders.

Powerful Counties front-row, Kalolo Tuiloma, earns his debut appearance on the bench and Elliot Dixon returns to the 23 as loose forward cover, as does co-captain Ash Dixon.

In the backs Tevita Li is back on the left wing, reuniting with Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo, while Kayne Hammington rotates in for Josh Renton at scrum-half reserve.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon (cc), 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tulioma, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes

Date: Saturday, March 17
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:35 local (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)