22-year-old Southland halfback Nic Shearer will make his Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Highlanders when they take on Moana Pasifika in round 7 tomorrow night.
Shearer has been given the responsibility to start at halfback in place of Folau Fakatava, who played two Tests for the All Blacks in 2022.
Fakatava has started five games for the Highlanders this year but has been dropped following a lacklustre start to the season, with Adam Lennox to provide cover from the bench against Moana.
The 22-year-old played for Canterbury during the 2024 NPC before making the move south to join Southland last year, where he scored a try in their famous Ranfurly Shield victory over Waikato.
He was part of the Highlanders wider training squad but earned a promotion when the hugely promising Dylan Pledger suffered a season-ending ACL injury in pre-season.
Meanwhile, four players with Fijian links have been named in the Highlanders matchday 23, including Veveni Lasaqa (flanker), Jona Nareki (wing), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (fullback) and Timoci Tavatavanawai (reserve).
The Highlanders will take on Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm tomorrow.
In other matches, the Brumbies will meet the Waratahs at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Hurricanes will face the Reds at 3.35pm Saturday, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will play the Blues at 6.05pm Saturday, and the Force will play the Chiefs at 8.35pm.
