Highlanders’ coach Jamie Joseph has made six changes to the starting team who lost 30-19 to the Brumbies in Dunedin last week for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Tony Woodcock and Chris King both come back into the front row, with Jamie Mackintosh and Ma’afu Fia joining the reserves.

In the second row, Josh Bekhuis returns alongside the evergreen Brad Thorn while Mose Tuiali’i’s knee injury means TJ Ioane will start at No.8 and Jarrad Hoeata moves to the blindside flank.

In the backs, Aaron Smith is back into the run-on 15 and Jason Emery returns to centre. Tony Ensor gets his first start for 2013 on the left wing.

The Highlanders continue to struggle with a long injury roster, Tamati Ellison heading the list with a shoulder injury which could see him out for up to two months. Also out are Brayden Mitchell (shoulder – 2-3 weeks), Kade Poki (rib – two weeks), Buxton Popoali’i (ankle – three weeks), Shaun Treeby (hamstring – 1-2 weeks), Lima Sopoaga (ankle – six weeks) and Mose Tuiali’i (knee – five weeks).

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Tony Ensor, Jason Emery, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, TJ Ioane, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn, Chris King, Andrew Hore (captain), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Jamie Mackintosh, Elliot Dixon, Fumiaka Tanaka, Colin Slade, Jake Paringatai.