Liam Squire on blindside for Highlanders

Adam Kyriacou

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has named an experienced pack and will welcome the return of Liam Squire for their Super Rugby clash with the Bulls on Friday. 

Squire is playing in his first match of the season while also back from injury are Jackson Hemopo and Tevita Li at second-row and wing.

Josh McKay will get his first start of the year in the 15 jersey and Sef Fa’agase comes onto the bench for an injured Daniel Lienert-Brown.

It’s a big night for Luke Whitelock who will captain the side in his 100th Super Rugby match and will also bring up 50 games for the Highlanders.

It may also be an emotional evening for a number of long serving Highlanders, such as Waisake Naholo, who will in all likelihood be making their last home appearance at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Highlanders: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Patelesio Tomkinson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (c), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Date: Friday, June 7
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)