Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has lost patience with high-profile halves pairing Aaron Smith and Colin Slade, demoting both to the reserves for their Super Rugby match against the Brumbies in Dunedin.

Japanese halfback Fumiaki Tanaka and little-used Otago No.10 Hayden Parker are among six changes for the match on Friday from the side who lost 29-18 to the Blues last weekend.

That was the sixth-straight loss for the last-placed southerners, with Joseph also relegating prop Chris King, lock Josh Bekhuis and centre Jason Emery to the reserves bench.

The only injury-enforced change sees concussed winger Buxton Popoali’i make way for Kade Poki, who returns from a rib injury.

Smith, the incumbent All Blacks No.9, has admitted to struggling for his best form this season while Slade has looked off the pace after a long period out of rugby recovering from various injuries.

Tanaka will make his first start after four appearances off the bench while Parker’s only appearance this season was the last six minutes of their opening loss to the Chiefs.

Prop Maafu Fia replaces King at tighthead while Jarrad Hoeata moves from flanker to lock, allowing the dynamic TJ Ioane to make his starting debut on the blindside flank.

Emery’s No.13 jersey goes to Phil Burleigh.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock is sidelined again by his ongoing hamstring complaint, allowing another start for Jamie Mackintosh alongside captain and hooker Andrew Hore.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Phil Burleigh, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Hayden Parker, Fumiaki Tanaka, Mose Tuialii, John Hardie, TJ Ioane, Jarrad Hoeata, Brad Thorn, Maafu Fia, Andrew Hore (capt), Jamie Mackintosh. Res: Liam Coltman, Chris King, Josh Bekhuis, Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Colin Slade, Jason Emery.