All Blacks Ma’a Nonu, Aaron Smith and Tony Woodcock have all been dropped by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Blues in Dunedin.

There are seven changes to the starting side from that which lost 19-18 to the Western Force in Perth last weekend, an 11th defeat from 12 matches.

Joseph has made a habit of wielding bulk changes and reputation has often counted for little.

Nonu, who was ineffective in Perth, is demoted to the reserve bench and hands the No.12 jersey to Shaun Treeby, who sat out last week with concussion.

Smith’s form has also fluctuated this season and he finds himself on the bench for the second time. Japanese halfback Fumiaka Tanaka will start.

Woodcock has missed out on the 22-strong squad altogether, with Jamie Mackintosh to make his fourth start of the season on the loosehead side.

The omission of Nonu, Smith and Woodcock will be of some concern to the All Blacks selectors as that trio are favoured to be in the starting 15 for the first Test of the year against France in Auckland on June 8.

Two other changes to the backline see Trent Renata introduced on the right wing for Jason Emery and Colin Slade restored at fly-half ahead of Hayden Parker.

It will be 25-year-old Renata’s second game of Super Rugby, having played for the Chiefs in 2010.

Up front, Jarrad Hoeata starts at blindside flanker ahead of TJ Ioane while captain Andrew Hore returns as starting hooker, replacing Liam Coltman.

The Highlanders lost 29-18 to the seventh-placed Blues when the teams met in round eight in Auckland.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Trent Renata, Tamati Ellison, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Fumiaka Tanaka, Mose Tuiali’i, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Maafu Fia, Andrew Hore (capt), Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Bronson Murray, Elliot Dixon, TJ Ioane, Aaron Smith, Hayden Parker, Ma’a Nonu.