Backline stars Waisake Naholo and Aaron Smith are among four All Blacks promoted into the Highlanders starting team to face the Queensland Reds in Dunedin on Friday.

Powerhouse winger Naholo will make his first appearance of the year while influential halfback Smith is promoted from the bench to create headaches for the Reds, who will play their first match of the Super Rugby season after sitting out an opening round bye.

There are five starting changes in total for the Highlanders, including a starting upgrade for flankers Shannon Frizell and Dillon Hunt, who both made Test debuts last year.

Teihorangi Walden replaces Thomas Umaga-Jensen at inside centre in the fifth change from the team who charged home late to beat the Chiefs 30-27 in the competition opener at Hamilton last week.

Smith and Frizell played major parts as the Highlanders overcame the red card shown to reserve back Patelesio Tomkinson in the 67th minute for a shoulder charge, scoring the final 10 points of the game.

HIGHLANDERS: Ben Smith (co-capt), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock (co-capt), Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone. Res: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Jack Whetton, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Matt Faddes.