The defending champions have named Luke Whitelock at lock for their quarterfinal against the Brumbies in Canberra tomorrow night.
Whitelock shifted to lock with about 15 minutes remaining in the 25-15 win against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium last week and coach Jamie Joseph obviously liked what he saw from the hard-working loosie.
Or perhaps Joseph just wants his best ball players involved in the crunch match.
With Liam Squire back in the starting XV after impressing from the bench against the Chiefs, and co-captain Shane Christie returning from illness, Whitelock either had to shift to lock or on to the bench, and he has been going too well to leave him on the sideline.
The rejig means lock Alex Ainley drops out of the squad, as does flanker James Lentjes.
In the other personnel change, midfield back Rob Thompson joins the squad, with Joseph returning to a five-three split on the bench.
Prop Josh Hohneck and hooker Ash Dixon will be playing their 50th Super rugby games.
Starting with Whitelock at lock could be seen as a punt, considering the Brumbies rely on their set piece. They have a strong scrum and a fondness for lineout drives.
The weather is expected to be wet as well, which may play into the home team's hands.
Of course, the Highlanders have leaned heavily on a quality kicking game and back their defence. Whitelock's inclusion at lock will certainly help with that game plan. He brings more mobility to the pack than Ainley and his work ethic and defence is a big asset.
Meanwhile, David Pocock will make his return for the Brumbies. The flanker has been sidelined since sustaining a fracture to his eye socket during Australia's match against England six weeks ago.
The Brumbies have, however, lost towering test lock Rory Arnold to an elbow injury. Blake Enever comes into the second row in his place, while the pacy Robbie Coleman comes in for James Dargaville on the left wing.
Brumbies: Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (c), Ruan Smith, Blake Enever, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Jarrad Butler, Tomas Cubelli, Christian Lealiifano (c), Robbie Coleman, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani, Nigel Ah Wong, Aidan Toua. Reserves (one to be omitted): Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Tom Staniforth, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Andrew Smith, James Dargaville, Lausii Taliauli.
Highlanders team
to play the Brumbies
Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Shane Christie (co-captain), Elliot Dixon, Luke Whitelock, Tom Franklin, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Te Aihe Toma, Fletcher Smith, Rob Thompson.
