Highlanders v Rebels: Teams
The Highlanders have made four changes to their line-up for the visit of the Rebels on Friday.
Last Updated: 29/03/12 8:50am
The Highlanders have made four changes to their line-up for the visit of the Rebels on Friday.
Having lost their unbeaten record to the Brumbies last time out, coach Jamie Joseph has opted to freshen up his line-up.
All Blacks back-rower Adam Thomson, veteran hooker Jason Rutledge and lock Jarrad Hoeata come into the backs, while Chris Noakes replaces Colin Slade at fly-half.
Slade is to miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg, with Andrew Hore (calf) also missing through injury.
There is a positional switch, with James Haskell moving to the openside to accommodate Thomson's return.
The Rebels will be buoyed by the return of Australia internationals James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale for the trip to Invercargill.
O'Connor (hamstring) and Beale (calf) both missed the win over the Force but they have been passed fit to start at fly-half and full-back respectively.
O'Connor replaces Danny Cipriani, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury of his own.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Doug Tietjens, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Phil Burleigh, 22 Buxton Popoali'i.
Rebels: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Lloyd Johansson, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Michael Lipman, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Julian Huxley.
