Rugby: Lentjes to start for Highlanders

Otago flanker James Lentjes has made a rapid rise to Super rugby and will start for the side against the Stormers on Saturday.

Lentjes comes into the team for Dan Pryor with the other two opensdie flanker in the squad - Shane Christie (hamstring) and John Hardie (ankle) - injured.

The Taieri flanker only joined the squad last week fulltime although he did train with the side in pre-season.

The other change in the side is at hooker with Ash Dixon replacing Liam Coltman.

Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Malikai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (captain), James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Josh hohneck, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds.

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.