Captain Jimmy Cowan returns and will form a new combination with No 8 George Naoupu as the Highlanders look to score a second straight win over the Crusaders in their Super 14 match at Carisbrook tomorrow night.
Captain and All Black halfback Cowan predictably returns to the team after recovering from a sprained right elbow, suffered in the side's first game of the year against the Brumbies.
Another injury casualty, lock Tom Donnelly, comes back into the team, although he only makes it as far as the reserves' bench.
Donnelly injured his thumb in pre-season training in late January and has not played any rugby this season, although his fitness should not be a problem, as he has been able to train through the recovery.
Naoupu moves into the side, doing a straight swap with Steven Setephano, who moves to the reserves.
The only other change to the starting side is at second five-eighth where Jayden Hayward makes his Super 14 starting debut, with Johnny Leota dropping from the playing 22.
Leota has taken a few knocks over the first three games and a decision was made to rest him this week.
The return of Cowan will bring some much-needed experience to the side.
Naoupu, a draft player from Hawkes Bay, is also making his Super 14 starting debut.
Cowan will want to show the way forward for the Highlanders, and has been bursting with energy wanting to get back on the paddock.
Prop Jamie Mackintosh is still unavailable because of an injured left knee.
Alando Soakai is vice-captain of the side, along with centre Jason Shoemark.
The Crusaders have made some injury-forced changes, and although their forward pack has a solid look about it, there is a lack of experience in the red and blacks' backline.
Prop Ben Franks has been bracketed with Bronson Murray as the All Black prop has an injured foot, while All Black halfback Andy Ellis has been bracketed with Kahn Fotuali'i, with Ellis carrying an ankle injury.
Franks and Ellis will have fitness tests today.
The Crusaders backline has lost two of its most experienced campaigners, with the dangerous Casey Laulala and veteran Leon MacDonald succumbing to shoulder injuries.
Laulala is a big loss as he has been in fine form this season, scoring four tries in three games, and his physical presence would have been a real asset to the visiting side.
Adam Whitelock takes his place.
Tasman wing Blair Cook, after not making the original squad, is called in to the team and will start on the left wing.
Wingers Kade Poki, with a sprained ankle, and Sean Maitland, hamstring, are unavailable.
Stephen Brett will start at fullback in place of MacDonald.
Only six players from either side will be back from last year's encounter in which the Highlanders caused a boilover in Christchurch with a 26-14 win.
That match had little riding on it in terms of the competition but there is plenty to play for in tomorrow night's encounter.
The Crusaders sit eighth on the table and the Highlanders 13th, and another loss for either side will put their post-season chances in jeopardy.
About two-thirds of the standing terrace tickets have been sold to the match.
New Zealand band Shihad is to perform after the match.
•Highlanders hooker Jason Rutledge is the proud father of baby daughter Olive, who arrived on Tuesday.
She is the second child for Rutledge and wife Gina. The couple have a son, Grigor (2).
