Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith has been benched for their Super Rugby match against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night.
Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Smith has started every game for the Highlanders this season but Kane Hammington will pull on the number nine jersey to help manage the All Black halfback's workload in the lead up to the British and Irish Lions Series next month.
First five Lima Sopoaga will play his first match in more than two months after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old will start from the bench.
Returning to the starting line up are All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman and winger Tevita Li, who replaces the suspended Waisake Naholo.
Highlanders lock Tom Franklin will play his 50th Super Rugby game on Saturday after making his debut in 2014.
The Highlanders are seventh on the overall Super Rugby standings, two points behind last year's champions the Hurricanes and five points clear of the Blues.
The Force meanwhile sit in second to last on the Australian conference but are just six points behind the first placed Brumbies.
The Highlanders team to play the Western Force in Perth on Saturday:
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
2. Liam Coltman
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Alex Ainley
5. Tom Franklin
6. Gareth Evans
7. Dillon Hunt
8. Elliot Dixon (cc)
9. Kayne Hammington
10. Marty Banks
11. Tevita Li
12. Richard Buckman
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Patrick Osborne
15. Matt Faddes
Reserves
16. Ash Dixon (cc)
17. Aki Seiuli
18. Guy Millar
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Jackson Hemopo
21. Aaron Smith
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Rob Thompson
-RNZ
