Highlanders vs Rebels LIVE | Super Rugby

Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).

A week after a 33-13 trouncing at the hands of the Crusaders, Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has wrung five changes to his starting side.

Continue reading below…

Two of those alterations come in the front row, as All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman is demoted to the bench following a dismal showing at the lineout last week.

In his place comes the veteran Ash Dixon, who joins loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown as the new faces up front while last week’s starting No. 1 Ayden Johnstone moves to the pine.

Jesse Parete maintains his place in the second row, but will have a new starting partner in the form of Jack Whetton, who has usurped Josh Dickson in the No. 5 jersey following a rusty defensive display.

All Blacks blindside flanker Shannon Frizell is handed a rest week, and that hands exciting loose forward Teariki Ben-Nicholas his maiden start at Super Rugby level.

?TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ?

Your Landers side to take on the @melbournerebels back under the roof!
Who’s excited? ?? #WhereExcitementHappens #ZOOISBACK #HIGvREB pic.twitter.com/LVetvi7mRv

— Highlanders (@Highlanders) February 25, 2020

Just one change has been made in the backline, with Canterbury speedster Josh McKay given the No. 14 jersey after ex-Reds star Kris Kuridrani failed to assert his dominance in Christchurch.

Additionally, there are three potential Highlanders debutants in the reserves through ex-Chiefs tighthead prop Jeff Thwaites, Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Olympic sevens hopeful Scott Gregory.

They join a fresh-looking contingent of substitutes, which also includes one-test All Blacks flanker Dillon Hunt, who was absent from last week’s defeat.

For the Rebels, four changes have been made by head coach Dave Wessels following their 36-24 loss to the Sharks in Ballarat last Saturday.

Try-scoring hooker Anaru Rangi returns to the run-on XV in place of Steven Misa, while South African second-rower Gideon Koegelenburg starts at lock ahead of the benched Ross Haylett-Petty.

??TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Here's our starting XV to take on the @Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday night!#MarchWithUs pic.twitter.com/Azy1LTHVlY

— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 26, 2020

Elsewhere, Angus Cottrell moves back into the No. 6 jersey in place of Michael Wells, and Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua returns from injury to sends last week’s pivot Andrew Deegan into the reserves.

Haylett-Petty and Deegan are among five new faces, including Wells, Wallabies rake Jordan Uelese and young South African tighthead prop Cabous Eloff.

In other news: