The Highlanders have made five changes to the side that beat the Cheetahs 31-28 last weekend in Bloemfontein, ahead of their clash with the Blues at Carisbrook on Saturday.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has effected three changes in the backline, with right wing Glen Horton coming into the side in place of Matt Saunders.

Aaron Bancroft also gets a start at outside centre at the expense of Brett Mather. At scrumhalf, regular first-choice All Black Jimmy Cowan returns and Toby Morland returns to the bench.

In the forward pack, there are changes at flank and at hooker.

Alando Soakai returns to the strating XV in place of Tim Boys, and Jason MacDonald takes over the No.2 jersey from David Hall.

Highlanders: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Aaron Bancroft, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Craig Newby (captain), 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Chris King, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Steven Setephano, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Daniel Bowden, 22 Niva Ta'auso.

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