Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph, has named his side to face the Blues in Dunedin in their first Super Rugby game of 2014.
Six players in the starting 15 will make their debut for the Highlanders and they include Kane Hames, Gareth Evans, Shane Christie, Patrick Osborne, Malakai Fekitoa and Richard Buckman Shane Christie, Partick Osborne and Richard Buckman has Super Rugby experience at other New Zealand Franchises, whereas Kane Hames, Gareth Evans and Malakai Fekitoa will make their Super Rugby debuts.
Amongst the replacements, Ged Robinson, Matias Diaz and Craig Millar will all make their Highlanders debut, should they get chance to play off the bench. Ged Robinson has played Super Rugby before, whereas Matias Diaz and Craig Millar will debut in Supr Rugby, should they be used.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (Co-Captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (C0-Captain), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Matias Diaz, 18 Craig Millar, 19 Josh Bekhuis, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh.