Fullback Ben Smith returns to the Highlanders starting XV for Saturday's Kiwi derby with the Chiefs, after missing the 52-0 thrashing of the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
Smith was missing from the Japan trip as he completed his second All Blacks-enforced rest, so will be fresh for the Kiwi derby in Dunedin.
The forward pack remains the same, after a dominant effort in Tokyo, with co-captain Luke Whitelock, Elliot Dixon and James Lentjes adding steel from the back row.
"Typically your NZ conference games are fiercely contested, that was certainly the case earlier in the season against the Chiefs, so we are expecting nothing less from this game," coach Aaron Mauger said.
Liam Squire (knee), Waisake Naholo (knee), Marty Banks (foot) were not considered due to injury.
The Highlanders won their earlier clash 30-27.
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Luke Whitelock (cc), James Lentjes
Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Josh Ioane, Tevita Li, Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Matt Faddes, Ben Smith (cc). Reserves: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh McKay, Patelesio Tomkinson
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