Highlanders v Blues: Teams
The Highlanders welcome back four players for Friday's clash with the Blues, who will start Luke McAlister at inside centre.
Last Updated: 28/04/11 10:15am
The Highlanders welcome back a quartet of key players as they look to upset the New Zealand Conference-leading Blues on Friday.
Jimmy Cowan, Adam Thomson, Jason Rutledge and Kade Poki all return to the starting line-up having missed last week's win over the Crusaders.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made one other change to his forward pack, with Alando Soakai replacing John Hardie at openside flanker.
There is also one positional switch, as Jarrad Hoeata, who started at flanker last time out, moves to lock to make way for the returning Thomson.
Tom Donnelly drops to the bench where he is joined by James Paterson, who crossed twice against the Crusaders but is back amongst the replacements.
Difficult build-up
The Blues, meanwhile, head to Carisbrook currently sitting second in the overall standings.
However, the club have been hit by the news this week that lock Kurtis Haiu is taking an indefinite break from the game after being diagnosed with a bone tumour in his ribs.
They have made two changes to their team to face the Highlanders, including welcoming back All Black Luke McAlister at inside centre.
The former Sale Shark was benched for the 40-23 win over the Melbourne Rebels last week but is preferred at No.12 to Benson Stanley.
The other switch comes in the front row - Tevita Mailau takes over from the injured Tony Woodcock, though the New Zealand international's foot problem is only now expected to be sidelined for around three weeks.
The news was not so good for lock Filo Paulo, however, as he has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured bone under his big toe.
North Harbour second rower James King comes in on the bench.
Highlanders: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Ben Smith, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Mo Schwalger, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Matt Saunders, 22 James Paterson.
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 James King, 19 Chris Lowrey, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Benson Stanley, 22 Lachie Munro.
