Hosea Gear will play his 100th Super Rugby game but there is no room for All Blacks Aaron Smith and Ma’a Nonu in the Highlanders starting line-up to face the Crusaders.

Gear, who was left out of the All Blacks squad for the recent series against France, will bring up the milestone in his 30th game for the franchise in Dunedin on Saturday night.

The winger, who leaves to play in Japan at the end of the season, played 70 games for the Hurricanes before joining the Highlanders last season and he has not missed a game since moving south.

“He is one of the hardest workers both on and off the field. He always brings a professional approach to the Highlanders team environment and is highly respected by all the guys,” coach Jamie Joseph.

Joseph has opted to used All Blacks centre Nonu, who played all three Tests against France, off the bench along with halfback Smith.

He has made three changes to the side that beat the Blues before the international break with All Black Tony Woodcock starting at loose-head prop, while Elliot Dixon replaces the injured John Hardie at openside flanker and Kade Poki returns after a rib injury.

Five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has overcome a troublesome ankle injury to make the reserves.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Tamati Ellison, Shaun Treeby, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Fumiaki Tanaka, Mose Tuiali’i, Elliot Dixon, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Ma’afu Fia, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Bronson Murray, Jake Paringatai, TJ Ioane, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Ma’a Nonu.