That is the approach the Highlanders have taken for tomorrow’s clash against the Crusaders, ringing in a massive seven changes to the starting side that fell 60-20 to the Blues in last Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific opener.
Granted, some of the changes are forced — Shannon Frizell and Ethan de Groot have the week off under the All Black load management programme (alongside Aaron Smith), and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u is sidelined with a fractured rib.
The fresh tight-five includes Ayden Johnstone, Andrew Makalio and Will Tucker, while Sean Withy starts alongside youngster Nikora Broughton on debut. Captain Billy Harmon rounds out the loose forwards. Towering lock Josh Dickson has been left out of the 23.
English import Freddie Burns and Kemara Hauiti-Parapara are an interesting inside backs swap for Mitch Hunt and Folau Fakatava, who take a seat on the bench, in an otherwise unchanged backline.
Lock/flanker Max Hicks joins the bench — for his first taste of Super Rugby — as does experienced flanker James Lentjes.
Broughton is arguably the most exciting change at No.8.
The 21-year-old captained the New Zealand Barbarians under-20 side last year and head coach Clarke Dermody said he had a big future ahead of him.
"He’s hugely excited — there was a big round of applause when he got named," Dermody said.
"He had a really good pre-season for us as a young No.8, good physicality in his carry.
"He’s obviously not the complete finished article yet, but we see some good things in him that he can bring on Friday night."
Dermody hoped his team could brush off last week’s game and turn around its error-ridden performance.
"Just a bit more respect for the ball on attack, limiting our turnovers, not giving easy metres into our 22 or easy turnover [tries]."
The Crusaders, on the other hand, have added Sam Whitelock to the starting XV, adding to the array of All Blacks dominating the red and blacks.
Former Highlander Christian Lio-Willie gets his first start at No8 after impressing off the bench last week and Tamaiti Williams joins the front row.
David Havili returns to second five, after a stint at fullback, and Jack Goodhue shifts to centre.
Fergus Burke is at fullback and Braydon Ennor moves to the bench. Noah Hotham, Sione Havili Talitui and Seb Calder also join the reserves.
Super Rugby Pacific
The teams
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Connor Garden-Bachop, Freddie Burns, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Nikora Broughton, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (captain), Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Mosese Dawai.
Crusaders: Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (captain), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Seb Calder, Zach Gallagher, Sione Havili Talitui, Noah Hotham, Braydon Ennor, Macca Springer.
