If Highlanders locks Josh Dickson and Pari Pari Parkinson want to become an All Black their trial game will be up against All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock when they take on the Crusaders tonight.
The two big men have been impressive in the Super Rugby Aotearoa with their complementary skill sets.
Dickson is a smart and accurate operator and has a big engine, allowing him to play the whole 80 minutes in both of the Highlanders fixtures while Parkinson is strong at set-pieces, he can move bodies from the breakdown better than anyone in Dunedin and plays a role as a distributor in the Highlanders’ attacking structure.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger says Whitelock has been at the top of his game for a long period and its where both players want to be.
Mauger has also named a refresh front row with Daniel Linert-Brown, Liam Coltman and Jeff Thwaites starting while last week starters Ayden Johnstone, Ash Dixon and Siate Tokolahi will be on the bench.
Other top players that are included for the Highlanders tonight are Aaron Smith, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell and Mitch Hunt.
Smith will captain the side tonight.
The Highlanders will take on the Crusaders at 7.05 tonight while the Chiefs will face the Hurricanes at 3.35pm tomorrow.
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