Several changes for Highlanders

Siosuia Halanukonuka, Tom Franklin and Gareth Evans return to the Highlanders’ starting XV for their game against the Stormers on Friday.

Dillon Hunt retains his starting spot after being called in at the last moment last Saturday to cover an injured Elliot Dixon.

Dixon remains unavailable this week and is joined by number eight Luke Whitelock. Whitelock has been displaying some concussion type symptoms since the Sunwolves match and will be rested until he is cleared. Joe Wheeler is joined by Jackson Hemopo on the bench giving the Highlanders plenty of size to match the always physical South Africans.

Rob Thompson returns to the midfield in place of an injured Richard Buckman and Patrick Osborne will return on the left wing to play his 50th Super rugby game for the Highlanders. There is plenty of firepower to come off the bench with exciting Otago backs Fletcher Smith and Matt Faddes.

Highlanders head coach is aware of the threat his former team brings, saying: “They are an exciting side who like to play an expansive game. They will be looking forward to familiar dry conditions and I am sure they will be well up for the game.”

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacemenets: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Jackson Hemopo, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes

Date: Friday, April 28
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)