Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph yesterday named his team to play the Waratahs in Newcastle on Friday night.
Stand-out All Black Ben Smith will have his first run for the year at fullback and will also captain the team.
He came back to training at the end of last month and will be looking to continue his great form from last year.
Kurt Baker has moved to the left wing with Smith's inclusion.
Lima Sopoaga will start the game in the first five-eighth jersey.
All Black Aaron Smith, also playing his first game of the year, will be inside him.
Tasman flanker Shane Christie, who has specialised in the openside position all his career, will play at No 8. John Hardie and Gareth Evans round out the loose forward trio.
Christie has not played the other two pre-season games due to a knee injury but needs some game time and options at the back of the scrum are limited.
Co-captain Nasi Manu picked up a pectoral injury last month and is racing against time to be ready for the start of the competition.
Elliot Dixon injured his hamstring in the game against the Crusaders last week and is ruled out this week.
TJ Ioane was touch and go as to whether he would be able to make the trip to Australia but a shoulder injury will keep him in Dunedin.
Evans is a possibility to play at No 8 but is seen as more of an option on the blindside flank where he will start on Friday night.
Hooker Liam Coltman is nursing sore ribs and will not line up. He is expected to be right for next week's opening game of the competition against the Blues.
Ged Robinson gets the start at hooker and he will have fellow veteran Chris King on the tighthead side and and newcomer Kane Hames on the loosehead side.
The franchise is still considering a replacement for Buxton Popoali'i, who withdrew from the squad last week because of a heart condition.
The Waratahs have an impressive squad on paper, stacked with Wallabies in the forwards and backs.
The side had a convincing 33-12 victory over the Blues in Sydney last Friday night.
Highlanders team
To play the Waratahs in Newcastle on Friday nightBen Smith (captain), Patrick Osborne, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Kurt Baker, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Shane Christie, John Hardie, Gareth Evans, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Ged Robinson, Kane Hames. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Matias Diaz, Craig Millar, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Lee Allan, Frae Wilson, Hayden Parker, Phil Burleigh, Winston Stanley, Richard Buckman.
