Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph Jamie Joseph has made three changes to the team that lost to the Chiefs for their match against the Reds in Dunedin this Friday.
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In the forwards, Highlanders Captain Andrew Hore makes his return after suffering a rib injury against the Hurricanes in round five.
Prop Tony Woodcock also returns to the starting XV to join Hore and tight head prop Andrew King.
Hore’s return means that Liam Coltman drops down to the replacements bench as does prop Ma’afu Fia.
In the backs, Kade Poki has been ruled out with a rib injury, so Buxton Popoalii moves into the starting XV.
Poki is only expected to miss another 1 or two weeks and the Highlanders have confirmed that Tamati Ellison’s return from a shoulder injury is still 3 to 4 months away.
On the replacements bench, Coltman and Fia are joined by TJ Ioane and Fumiaki Tanaka – who both come back into the 22.
The Highlanders have also confirmed that Nasi Manu’s foot injury will still keep him out for 3-4 months while Shaun Treeby return from a hamstring injury is 3-4 weeks away.
Highlanders
1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore (Captain), 3 Chris King, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 7 John Hardie, 8 Elliot Dixon, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Colin Slade, 11 Hosea Gear, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Jason Emery,14 Buxton Popoalii, 15 Ben Smith
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ma’afu Fia, 18 TJ Ioane, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Phil Burleigh.