"Full strength" is not quite accurate - there are still no specialist locks standing - but effectively coach Clarke Dermody has named as powerful a side as possible for tomorrow’s must-win game against the Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
All Blacks heavyweights Ethan de Groot and Aaron Smith return to their regular roles, and Jermaine Ainsley is also back to start in the front row.
Shannon Frizell, the regular loose forward who did a sterling job at lock against the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday, is joined by the rarely sighted Max Hicks in the second row, with Josh Dickson (concussion) one of four locks on the sidelines.
Sean Withy gets to continue his breakthrough season with a start on the blindside ahead of James Lentjes.
Freddie Burns understandably keeps the No10 jersey after a fine display in Canberra, while Mitch Hunt will earn his 50th Highlanders cap (95th in Super Rugby) off the bench.
Sam Gilbert returns from a rest to replace Thomas Umaga-Jensen at second five, and Highlanders fans finally get to see the Jona(h) show in action on the wings, with Jona Nareki on the left and Jonah Lowe on the right.
The selection of Gilbert reflects both a desire to use the midfield more as a distribution zone, especially to get quick ball to Nareki, than as the Umaga-Jensen wrecking ball show.
"Whenever we’ve put him [Gilbert] in there, he’s done a good job," Dermody said.
"He’s covered there a fair bit, but this week he gets an opportunity to start there. I guess we’re looking to try to free up our attacking game a bit more."
It also gives Connor Garden-Bachop, starting to show some good signs after a couple of largely frustrating seasons, another opportunity to create from the back.
Pari Pari Parkinson is bouncing back from his viral complaint, but only trained for the first time yesterday and was not considered for selection.
Hicks is more of a blindside than a lock, and Dermody expects the Rebels to target the Highlanders’ set piece.
"Looking at a team full of loose forwards, that’s probably an area they want to have a crack at.
"I know the boys will probably welcome that. We finished the game against the Brumbies with all our loose forwards on the pitch and we acquitted ourselves well in the set piece."
Dermody, no doubt heartily sick of doing the losing coach interview, said the focus was simple this weekend.
"We have to win. We’ve been wanting to win for a month but haven’t quite got it done.
"We’ve been in pretty much every game but haven’t been able to nail it. We’re at home, and we have to beat a pretty good Rebels team that likes to move the ball and will be targeting us because of the season we’ve had so far."
Wallabies lock Matt Philip makes his first start of the season for the Rebels after recovering from an ACL injury.
Stacey Ili and Lukas Ripley combine at centre, while Reece Hodge replaces injured star Carter Gordon at first five.
Highlanders v Rebels
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday 4.35pm
TEAMS
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Jonah Lowe, Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Freddie Burns, Aaron Smith, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon (captain), Sean Withy, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Rebels: Andrew Kellaway, Lachie Anderson, Lukas Ripley, Stacey Ili, Monty Ioane, Reece Hodge, Ryan Louwrens, Richard Hardwick, Brad Wilkin (captain), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Matt Philip, Josh Canham, Sam Talakai, Alex Mafi, Matt Gibbon.
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Pone Fa'amausili, Trevor Hosea,Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Nick Jooste, Joe Pincus.
