Speight’s Highlanders to play the Chiefs

Head Coach Tony Brown has resisted making any major changes to his starting team to play the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night. The starting pack remains the same with Irish lock Jack Regan earning his second start. Two changes in the backs with Josh Ioane starting at first-five and Mitch Hunt reverting to fullback where he finished the game against the Crusaders last Friday.

Aaron Smith is on the bench allowing Folau Fakatava his first start for the season. Fakatava had an outstanding Mitre 10 campaign for Hawkes Bay and impressed off the bench against the Crusaders in Round One.

On the bench Manaaki Selby-Rickit replaces Bryn Evans and Solomon Alaimalo rounds out the six forwards, two backs reserve bench.

Chiefs v Highlanders - FMG Stadium, Hamilton, Fri 5 Mar 7.05pm

1.  Daniel Lienert-Brown

2.   Ash Dixon (cc)

3.   Siate Tokolahi

4.   Josh Dickson

5.   Jack Regan

6.   Shannon Frizell

7.   Billy Harmon

8.   Marino Mikaele-Tu’u

9.   Folau Fakatava

10. Josh Ioane

11. Jona Nareki

12. Patelesio Tomkinson

13. Ngatungane Punivai

14. Connor Garden-Bachop

15. Mitch Hunt

Reserves

16. Liam Coltman

17. Josh Hohneck

18. Jeff Thwaites

19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit

20. Liam Squire

21. Aaron Smith (cc)

22. Solomon Alaimalo

23. Hugh Renton

Unavailable due to injury: Sam Gilbert (Knee), Ayden Johnstone (Concussion), Paripari Parkinson (Ankle)

Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (Ankle), Fetuli Paea (Ankle)

ENDS