Jona Nareki will start for the Highlanders when they face the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa opener this Friday.
Nareki made his Super Rugby debut last year against the Sharks.
Other players included in the starting line-up are Ash Dixon, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt and Solomon Alaimalo.
The Highlanders will take on the Crusaders at 6.05pm Friday and the Blues will face the Hurricanes at 6.05pm Saturday.
