Highlanders make six changes for Crusaders

Highlanders’ Head Coach, Jamie Joseph has made six changes to the starting team that played the Brumbies in Dunedin last Friday for this weekend’s match against the Crusaders.

In the forwards, Tony Woodcock and Chris King both come back into the front row, with Jamie Mackintosh and Ma’afu Fia joining the reserves.

In the second row, Josh Bekhuis comes back into lock alongside the evergreen Brad Thorn.

Mose Tuiali’i has sustained a knee injury, so TJ Ioane will start at number 8 and Jarrad Hoeata moves to the blindside flank.

In the backs, Aaron Smith comes back into the run-on XV and Jason Emery returns to centre.

Tony Ensor gets his first starts for 2013 on the left wing.

Highlanders

1. Tony Woodcock,2. Andrew Hore (captain),3. Chris King,4. Brad Thorn ,5. Josh Bekhuis,6. Jarrad Hoeata, 7. John Hardie,8. TJ Ioane,9. Aaron Smith ,10. Hayden Parker ,11. Hosea Gear (vice-captain),12. Ma’a Nonu,13. Jason Emery ,14. Tony Ensor ,15. Ben Smith

Replacements : 16. Liam Coltman ,17. Ma’afu Fia ,18. Jamie Mackintosh ,19. Elliot Dixon ,20. Fumiaka Tanaka ,21. Colin Slade ,22. Jake Paringatai