Intense competition for places is making Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph's job difficult but it is not a problem he is complaining about.
The side to take on the Force tomorrow night features a raft of changes from the one which convincingly disposed of the Rebels in Melbourne last Saturday night.
Joseph admitted the battle to get into the starting side was tough and players were making the most of the time they got on the park.
‘‘We have got great competition, particularly in our pack, in the lock department and the loose forward department,'' he said.
‘‘Each week we are looking to create some competition and give guys the opportunity to play and show they can foot it. And they are doing that and getting better each week as well. It is pleasing sign.''
Joseph said with just two players injured - winger Waisake Naholo (leg) and midfielder Sio Tomkinson (ankle) - as opposed to 11 a couple of weeks ago, there were plenty of options when it came to selecting a team.
The changes start in the loose forwards, where out go Luke Whitelock and co-captain Shane Christie, as Elliot Dixon and Dan Pryor come into the starting line-up.
Alex Ainley and Tom Franklin will start at lock in place of Joe Wheeler and Mark Reddish. Wheeler drops into the reserves.
Liam Coltman starts ahead of Ash Dixon in the hooking role.
In the backs, Matt Faddes is over his hamstring injury and replaces Jack Wilson, while halfback Fumiaki Tanaka comes on to the bench, as he is over a calf injury.
Captain Ben Smith did not train yesterday because of a virus but he is expected to be right.
Joseph said he was proud of the way Elliot Dixon was performing again this season.
‘‘I'm confident he will be an All Black one day, and hopefully it will be this year.
‘‘I think he is playing well. In the lineout he is attacking the ball well and is able to shut down the front of the lineout. His defence has really improved. He is one of our best defenders.
‘‘As you saw against the Waratahs, his attacking game has really improved. His ability to get up in the air and contest in the ball was a highlight for me, as he has worked so hard on that.
‘‘I think he has got the full package but it is what other blokes think.''
The Force is coming off a hiding from the Chiefs in Hamilton last week and has just the one win so far this season, against the Reds. The team is in disarray off the field, with talk of big financial losses and taking the franchise elsewhere.
But Joseph is not taking the Force lightly.
The Highlanders' win in Perth last year was their first victory over the Force, after six straight losses.
'‘My thinking is they are not an easy-beat. They have come off a couple of hard defeats and have a lot of injuries. They are a very proud team.
‘‘They have some quality loose forwards and are potent at the breakdown, really good at slowing the game down. We have got to really get our detail right.''
A short turnaround meant the players only had a day and a-half to prepare, Joseph said, and that meant just keeping things simple for them.
Highlanders v Force
Forsyth Barr Stadium, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Liam Coltman, Brendon Edmonds.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Joe Wheeler, Shane Christie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Jason Emery.
