Nareki retains berth

THE Highlanders will be looking to back up their upset win over the Crusaders when they face the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

On Sunday, the Crusaders will travel to Wellington as they take on the Hurricanes.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown has made a number of changes to the side that produced a stunning upset over the Crusaders.

The main change is the loss of Folau Fakatava, who will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury.

Aaron Smith returns to the starting line-up with Kayne Hammington added to the bench.

Josh Hohneck and James Lentjes enter the starting lineup, replacing Siate Tokolahi and Billy Harmon.

Sio Tomkinson also returns to the starting side after he was dropped for his involvement in the ‘house party’ saga, with Josh Ioane working his way back into the side via the bench.

Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillian has been forced into a major change since their clash with the Blues a fortnight ago, with Sam Cane ruled out for the rest of the year.

Rookie Kaylum Boshier will start in the seven jersey, with Samipeni Finau coming onto the bench.

Jonah Lowe will make his return from injury on the wing, pushing Shaun Stevenson to the bench whilst Etene Nanai-Seturo comes into the other wing spot, replacing Sean Wainui (illness).

Highlanders (1-15): Ethan De Groot, Ash Dixon (co-c), Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Paripari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Kazuki Himeno, Aaron Smith (co-c), Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Scott Gregory, Sio Tomkinson, Ngatungane Punivai, Connor Garden-Bachop

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Billy Harmon, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton

Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Kaleb Trask, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jonah Lowe, Damian McKenzie

Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Samipeni Finau, Pita Gus Sowakula, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson