The Highlanders have named just two new caps in their starting side to face the Crusaders in their opening Super 14 clash in Christchurch tomorrow night.
No 8 Nasi Manu will pack down behind an experienced forward pack, while James Paterson, an ex-Cantabrian like Manu, will start on the left wing.
The Crusaders have also named two new caps, left winger Zac Guildford and centre Robbie Fruean, and have the luxury of naming All Black lock Brad Thorn on the bench.
Alando Soakai has won the hotly contested openside flanker position for the Highlanders, while All Blacks Adam Thomson and Jimmy Cowan get their first run of the year.
Mathew Berquist will be starting outside Cowan, with Michael Hobbs in the reserves.
Paterson wins a wing berth ahead of Fetu'u Vainikolo in what coach Glenn Moore said was a tough call.
Moore said it was a difficult team to pick, with the only unavailable player midfield back Kendrick Lynn, who is getting over a groin injury.
Vainikolo was unlucky to not make the squad but would get his chance, Moore said.
"Fetu'u has really gone away and worked very hard on his fitness in the off-season and has come back in the best condition he has been for Super rugby.
"He has played particularly well in pre-season and he will get his opportunities during the season."
Moore said rookie utility back Robbie Robinson had also worked hard and would get his time to shine.
Thomson and Cowan only joined the squad full-time at the start of the month, and the All Black duo did not have a chance to play any pre-season games.
But Moore said he did not hold any concerns about the pair not being ready for the action.
Unlike the Highlanders, the Crusaders have injury problems, with five players unavailable.
All Black front-rowers Wyatt Crockett and Corey Flynn have ankle problems, while lock Chris Jack will not be sighted until next month because of a wrist injury.
Outside back Kade Poki injured his knee last week against the Blues while midfield back Ryan Crotty is recovering from concussion.
Crusaders v Highlanders
Christchurch, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Jayden Hayward, James Paterson, Mathew Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Hayden Triggs, John Hardie, Sean Romans, Michael Hobbs, Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Crusaders: Colin Slade, Jared Payne, Robbie Fruean, Tim Bateman, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Thomas Waldrom, George Whitelock, Kieran Read (captain), Isaac Ross, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Ti'i Paulo, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Quinten MacDonald, Peter Borlase, Brad Thorn, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotali'i, Adam Whitelock, Sean Maitland.
