Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has shuffled his pack but it has plenty of riches as the side gets ready to take on the Lions.
Joseph has brought back experienced lock Alex Ainley for his first start of the season and rearranged his loose forward trio for the match at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.
Elliot Dixon and co-captain Shane Christie have moved to the bench with Dan Pryor and Liam Squire coming into the team.
Squire will play at No 8 with Luke Whitelock moved to the blindside flank.
Tom Franklin drops out of the team and tighthead prop Siosiua Halanukonuka comes in, while Josh Hohneck gets a rest.
Joseph has various options in his forward pack and has trust in them.
‘‘It was interesting in that we had five forwards who had played in the grand final last year playing for the development team last week,'' he said.
‘‘That tells us we have a bit of depth in the tight forwards, so when guys get their chance they need to take it.
‘‘In certain positions in the team there is a lot of depth and in other positions there is not as much there.''
Joseph said the Lions would be a tough opponent and had similarities to his own side.
‘‘They still scrum like South African sides in that they look for the penalties from the scrums and maul from lineouts.
‘‘But there is a bit more to them. When they get quick turnover ball and they get their game going - and it is quick - then they are very hard to stop. So we have to deny them access to their game and that has got a lot to do with our defence.''
Joseph praised the coaching team at the Lions, who had pushed the side on the upward curve.
‘‘You've got to remember a couple of years ago they were bankrupt and out of the Super rugby competition. So Johan [Ackermann] and the other coaches have created a really good team culture. I measure that by the way they are playing - they are a really cohesive unit and play for each other.
‘‘There is only one or two South African Springboks that is in there ... it looks and feels pretty similar to us a couple of years ago.''
His side would have to be more accurate under pressure, Joseph said, and that came down to individuals executing well.
In the midfield, with second five-eighth Tei Walden out with concussion, Rob Thompson gets a chance.
Thompson will make his debut at this level and is a strong running player, with an eye for the tryline.
It was a close-run thing whether Thompson or Jason Emery would start. Both players had impressed in training and there was not a lot between them, Joseph said.
There was no consideration of playing Malakai Fekitoa at second five-eighth.
The Lions have been resting in Rotorua but have lost three players following their win over the Chiefs last Saturday.
Harold Vorster (knee) and Fabian Booysen (eyelid) have both headed home while Lionel Mapoe has gone back to South Africa for the birth of his baby.
Replacement centre Jacques Nel has joined the squad.
