The Highlanders have named two changes to their side that narrowly downed the favoured Force outfit last Friday in Perth.
On Saturday the Otago franchise begins their two-match tour of South Africa when they play the Lions in Johannesburg, and coach Greg Cooper has replaced the injured Viliame Waqaseduadua with Greg Sampach, who will start his first Super 14 game on the left wing.
Meanwhile the experienced Pacific Islander Filipo Levi replaces Kane Thompson at lock, who drops out of the squad altogether. Willie Rickards comes in on the bench to provide cover for the outside backs.
The Highlanders, who have not been given much of a chance in this year’s competition, will be looking to add another four points to their log tally against the equally unfavoured Lions side.
Highlanders: 15 Craig Clare, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Matthew Saunders, 12 Jason Kawau, 11 Greg Zampach, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Craig Newby, 7 Josh Blackie (capt), 6 Hoani MacDonald, 5 James Ryan, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Clarke Dermody, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Chris King
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Keith Cameron, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Alando Soakai, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Charlie Hore, 22 Willie Rickards
Date: 10 February 2007
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
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