Highlanders v Crusaders: Teams

The Highlanders will be bolstered by the return of All Blacks scrum-half Jimmy Cowan and experienced lock Tom Donnelly for the Super 14 derby against the Crusaders in Dunedin.

However the Highlanders will be without prop Jamie Mackintosh, who is still struggling with injury, as they try to repeat last year's shock win over the defending champions.

Cowan is back after missing three matches since injuring an elbow in the season-opening loss to the Brumbies. He replaces Sean Romans, who drops to the bench.

Lock Donnelly makes his first appearance on the team-sheet this season after suffering a thumb injury during pre-season training and will be hoping to win his 53rd cap for the franchise off the bench.

Head coach Glenn Moore has made two other changes to the line-up that lost 34-16 to the Waratahs in Sydney.

George Naoupu replaces No.8 Stephen Setephano while Jayden Hayward replaces the injured Johnny Leota at inside centre.

The Crusaders will be without centre Casey Laulala for the clash at Carisbrook.

Laulala has scored four tries in three games for the defending champions, however he injured his shoulder against the Hurricanes and will be replaced by Adam Whitelock.

Full-back Leon MacDonald is also missing, having injured his shoulder against the Chiefs, so Stephen Brett retains the No.15 jersey.

Coach Todd Blackadder has doubts over scrum-half Andy Ellis and prop Ben Franks, so Kahn Fotuali'i and Bronson Murray have been placed on stand-by to start.

There will be a first cap for Blair Cook, with the 25-year-old replacing Kade Poki, who has sprained his ankle.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 George Naoupu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Steven Setephano, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Mathew Berquist, 22Kendrick Lynn.

Crusaders: 15 Stephen Brett, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Blair Cook, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis/Kahn Fotuali'i, 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Jason Macdonald, 3 Ben Franks/Bronson Murray, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ross Filipo, 6 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Bronson Murray/Owen Franks, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i/Tyson Keats, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Hamish Gard.