Highlanders shuffle their pack for Waratahs

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has made a number of changes to his forward pack for this week’s Super Rugby match against the Waratahs.

Joseph has kept his backline is unchanged in both the starting line-up and the replacements but the forward pack has had changes after last week’s victory over the Chiefs. .

Elliot Dixon moves to six, after a strong game last week, to make way for Shane Christie who will be making his 2015 Super Rugby debut after receiving a knee injury in the final of the ITM Cup last year.

Tom Franklin comes back into the starting lineup after impressing off the bench and a reshuffle in the front row sees Ross Geldenhuys start while Pingi Tala’apitaga moves on to the bench to cover for Ma’afu Fia who received a knee injury during last week’s game.

Richard Buckman (knee), Ma’afu Fia (knee), Dan Pryor (concussion), Kane Hames (suspended) were not considered for selection this week.

Highlanders

1. Josh Hohneck , 2. Liam Coltman , 3. Ross Geldenhuys , 4. Tom Franklin , 5. Joe Wheeler , 6. Elliot Dixon , 7. Shane Christie , 8. Nasi Manu (c) , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Lima Sopoaga , 11. Patrick Osborne , 12. Shaun Treeby , 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Waisake Naholo , 15. Ben Smith (c)

Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon , 17. Brendon Edmonds , 18. Pingi Tala’apitaga , 19. Mark Reddish , 20. John Hardie , 21. Fumiaki Tanaka , 22. Marty Banks , 23. Jason Emery