Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has made two alterations to his starting line-up for Friday's derby with the Blues in Auckland.
One notable change to the starting line-up is the rotation of scrum-halves, with Kayne Hammington earning his first start of the 2018 season, and Aaron Smith moving to the replacements bench.
Mauger noted Hammington’s good form of late and the chance to rotate his nines.
"Kayne has earned the opportunity and he is ready to give us what we need to start the game and Aaron will come on and finish well for us," he said.
The only other change is in the forwards where co-captain Ash Dixon comes into the run-on side as a replacement for Liam Coltman who drops down to the bench.
There is one change amongst the replacements with Tyrel Lomax replacing Kalolo Tuiloma as front-row cover.
The Highlanders recorded a good victory against the Brumbies in Dunedin last weekend coming off the bye.
Having played four of their first six games at home the Highlanders now begin a stretch of five away games in six weeks. The Blues hold the upper-hand over the last five years at Eden Park leading 3-2 on victories against the Highlanders.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (cc), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes
Date: Friday, April 20
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey (New Zealand), Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
The post Highlanders make minimal changes appeared first on Planet Rugby.