With play-off hopes extinguished and only pride to play for against the Force in Perth tomorrow night, Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has resisted the temptation to make changes and stuck with the core of the side which has appeared for the season.
Daniel Bowden comes back into the team at first five-eighth, where he last played against the Chiefs in the middle of March.
Bowden was not available last week because of a suspension for a high tackle in the match against the Sharks.
His last six appearances for the Highlanders have been one place further out in the No 12 jersey, but he moves closer to the scrum.
Mathew Berquist is bracketed in the reserves with Jayden Hayward.
Berquist, who has filled the No 10 jersey, was a late withdrawal from the team which played the Lions last week because of a back injury, and is still in doubt.
Johnny Leota will start at second five-eighth.
Although Moore had been keen on having both Berquist and Bowden in the side and giving the backline two play-making options, the attack has appeared hesitant in the past few games.
Berquist has been a tad slow with his delivery and option taking, and the backline may work better with Bowden calling the shots by himself.
It may well be the final game in the Highlanders jersey for Bowden, who will play for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup this year.
His future with the Blues though is more clouded, especially with the return to New Zealand of Luke McAlister.
Out wide, Fetu'u Vainikolo swaps again with Kendrick Lynn.
Vainikolo has been a shadow of the player who starred in the Highlanders jersey last year, and lacks sharpness on attack.
Up front, George Naoupu comes into the side in place of No 8 Steven Setephano.
Naoupu suffered a hamstring strain in the match against the Stormers on April 24, and has finally got over it after missing the past two games.
Clint Newland returns to the starting 15 at tighthead prop in place of Chris King, and will want to anchor a scrum which has been under pressure in the past few weeks.
Adam Thomson and Alando Soakai have been the two form forwards for the Highlanders this year, and will be looking to finish the season on a high.
Moore has stated there is plenty to play for, and a victory against the Force would give the season a rosy ending after dropping the past four games.
The Force only arrived back in Perth on Tuesday from South Africa, and are coming off close losses to the Bulls and the Stormers.
The Force is in eighth position and out of the running for the play-offs.
But it will have plenty of emotion tomorrow night, with star players Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Tai McIssac and Josh Valentine all leaving the franchise after this game.
The Highlanders have been blessed by not having to face boom youngster James O'Connor, who has not recovered from a leg injury.
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Tomorrow night, 11.45pm
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Jimmy Cowan (captain), George Naoupu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Clint Newland, David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Josh Bekhuis, Steven Setephano, Sean Romans, Jayden Hayward or Mathew Berquist, Kendrick Lynn.
Force: Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Josh Tatupu, Nick Cummins, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine; Tamaiti Horua, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sam Wykes, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan.
Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Troy Takiari, Tom Hockings, Richard Stanford, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, Haig Sare.
