Captain Andrew Hore returns to form part of the most experienced tight five in Super Rugby history when the Highlanders finish their season against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
Hore is one of two changes from the side who beat the Hurricanes 49-44 in Wellington on Saturday, their third win of the season which lifted them off the bottom of the table.
He pushes hooker Liam Coltman to the reserves bench while Jason Emery is introduced to a shuffled midfield back combination. Tamati Ellison moves in to inside centre, with Shaun Treeby dropped to the bench.
Hore, boasting 140 Super Rugby games, is part of a hardened tight five that has played a combined tally of 463 games at this level – a competition record.
Alongside him are props Tony Woodcock (124 games) and Ma’afu Fia (23), and locks Brad Thorn (106) and Josh Bekhuis (70).
Victory for the 14th-placed Highlanders over the 12th-placed Rebels in Melbourne will guarantee they avoid the wooden spoon.
They spent most of this season in last place after losing their first eight games but moved ahead of South Africa’s Southern Kings with last week’s win.
Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Jason Emery, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Mose Tuiali’i, Elliot Dixon, TJ Ioane, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Ma’afu Fia, Andrew Hore (capt), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Bronson Murray, Jake Paringatai, Joe Wheeler, Fumiaki Tanaka, Hayden Parker, Shaun Treeby.