Highlanders v Hurricanes: Teams

Rutledge: Benched by Highlanders

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made five changes to his team for Friday's must-win clash against the Hurricanes in Invercargill.

Veteran hooker Jason Rutledge, who was the sole try-scorer for Highlanders in last week's loss to the Chiefs, has been replaced by Mo Schwalger.

Tom Donnelly makes his return to the second row after being kept out of the starting line up by the in-form Josh Bekhuis, who by now has also put his hand up for All Blacks selection.

Jared Hoeata has been moved from lock to flanker where he replaces the injured Adam Thomson, who suffered a rib injury against the Chiefs and is expected to be out for a 2-4 week period.

The backs undergo a reshuffle in order to accommodate the injuries to wingers James Patterson and Siale Piutau.

Last week's replacement Matt Saunders gets a start in front of his home Southland crowd, while his Stags team-mates Robbie Robinson, John Hardie and Rutledge all take their spots on the bench.

Nonu returns

Hurricanes stalwart Ma'a Nonu returns to the starting line-up at inside centre after spending two weeks on the sidelines with a fractured eye socket.

And fellow veteran Piri Weepu, who is equally adept at scrum-half and fly-half, has been named on the replacements bench.

Nonu replaces Daniel Kirkpatrick while Weepu is back for the suspended Tyson Keats, who will be out of action for four weeks..

Weepu will play his first Super Rugby match of the year. He broke his leg and dislocated his ankle while playing for Wellington in New Zealand's National Provincial Championships last year.

Coach Mark Hammett has rewarded him after he put in some good performances in club rugby matches recently.

Hammett has decided to go the conservative route with another injured All Black Conrad Smith, opting to give him one more week to recover from his broken nose.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Chris King, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 John Hardie, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Ben Atiga, 22 Robbie Robinson/Tony Brow.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Jayden Hayward, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements:: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Julian Savea, 22 Beauden Barrett.