The Highlanders have confirmed they will rest all three of their All Blacks for the table-topping Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes.
The southerners surged to the second-best overall record in the competition with two rounds to play courtesy of a 36-9 thrashing of the injury-depleted Chiefs in Invercargill.
They are guaranteed to reach the play-offs for the second straight season thanks to a 10th win from 14 games.
One of the losses came against the Brumbies in Canberra, when coach Jamie Joseph elected to rest his All Blacks backs Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa and Aaron Smith.
Under an agreement with New Zealand Rugby, each of his Test players must be rested twice.
Joseph confirmed the trio will sit out the game against the league-leading Hurricanes in Napier on Friday, even though the stakes are high.
"I wouldn't rest them if I didn't have to, I don't want to change the momentum," Joseph told reporters.
"But that's something that everyone has brought into and I do understand the reason why.
"I think we will benefit over the long-term. In terms of a quarter-final having those players have a breather we will only reap the rewards."
Joseph appears resigned to his team contesting an elimination final for teams ranked third to sixth.
They could yet finish top of the table if they topple the Hurricanes and then beat the Blues in Auckland.
Share
