Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith will make his return to their starting lineup for their Vodacom Super Rugby quarter-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

Smith’s return is one of three changes to the starting lineup from the one that hammered the Waratahs 49-12 last weekend.

The All Blacks star replaces Josh McKay, who drops out of the match-day squad entirely, while Patelesio Tomkinson comes in on the wing for Tevita Li.

In the only change to the pack, loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown comes into the front row in place of Ayden Johnstone, who drops to the bench.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c-c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patelesio Tomkinson, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (c-c), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joshua Dickson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Elliot Dixon.

Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix