Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has reshuffled his forward pack but stuck with an unchanged backline for Saturday's round-five Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Dunedin.
Lock Tom Franklin has played his way into the starting 15 after a strong performance off the bench in last week's 20-17 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Elliot Dixon, who impressed on the openside flank against the Chiefs, moves to the blindside to make room for Shane Christie, who will make his Super Rugby debut after recovering from a knee injury.
In a front-row reshuffle, Ross Geldenhuys starts at tighthead prop for the injured Ma'afu Fia, while Pingi Tala'apitaga will provide cover off the bench.
The defending champion Waratahs are coming off an error-ridden 23-5 win over the Reds in Brisbane.
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Mark Reddish, John Hardie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.
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