The Highlanders will open their Super Rugby season against the Crusaders with seven new faces in their match-day squad.
Winger Waisake Naholo, and props Ross Geldenhuys and Josh Hohneck have been named in the starting line-up for the clash in Dunedin on Saturday.
Four other players will wear the Highlanders' colours for the first time if they come off the bench - Ash Dixon, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor and Marty Banks.
As with last season, the team will be co-captained by Nasi Manu and Ben Smith.
Coach Jamie Joseph has had a near fully fit roster to pick from with just Shane Christie (hamstring), Richard Buckman (knee)and Pingi Talaapitaga (knee) unavailable.
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-capt), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-capt), John Hardie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Bench: Ash Dixon, Kane Hames, Ma'afu Fia, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Jason Emery, Marty Banks.
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