Highlanders unchanged for Hurricanes in final

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has retained the team that beat the Waratahs last weekend in Sydney for the Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes.

Joseph has named a six forward and two backs split on the reserves bench will give the hard working Highlanders forward pack plenty of firepower for the final.

Elliot Dixon will play his 50th game for the Highlanders capping off a great season for the Southland loose forward who was also named in the NZ Maori All Blacks this week.

The backs have a settled look to them with the only change being Marty Banks returning to the replacments bench.

This will be the Highlanders first final since they played the Crusaders in Dunedin in 1999.

The team of 2015 has won 13 games so far this season, more than any other Highlanders team in history.

Dan Pryor (elbow), John Hardie (rib) were unavailable for selection due to injury.

Highlanders

1. Brendon Edmonds , 2. Liam Coltman , 3. Josh Hohneck , 4. Alex Ainley , 5. Mark Reddish , 6. Elliot Dixon , 7. James Lentjes , 8. Nasi Manu (cc) , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Lima Sopoaga , 11. Patrick Osborne , 12. Richard Buckman , 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Waisake Naholo , 15. Ben Smith (cc)

Replacements: 16. Ash Dixon , 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown , 18. Ross Geldenhuys , 19. Joe Wheeler , 20. Gareth Evans , 21. Shane Christie , 22. Fumiaki Tanaka , 23. Marty Banks