Lock Tom Donnelly is being rested for the Highlanders' game against the Chiefs on Saturday night, in one of five changes to the team.
Donnelly (26) has been the work horse for the Highlanders in the first six rounds of the Super 14 competition and has earned a rest. He is not on the bench.
He has been replaced by lock Hayden Triggs (26), who has played 59 first-class games for Manawatu since his debut in 2002.
"Tom's been our most used player in the campaign to date, and this includes the pre-season games,'' Moore said. "We have decided that he needs a chance to freshen up.''
Hooker Jason Macdonald, another work horse for the Highlanders, will sit on the bench and has been replaced by Southland's David Hall.
"Jason has come back from an injury he suffered in the Air New Zealand Cup last year and has had a high work load,'' Moore said.
"The injury prevented him from doing the conditioning work that the rest of the team did pre-season, and we think he needs the chance to freshen up.
"We also have a lot of faith in David Hall. He's a good rugby player, and has ball carrying attributes that will add value in this game.''
Johnny Leota has returned at second five-eighth to partner centre Niva Ta'auso in the midfield.
"We thought Aaron played pretty well at the weekend, but we think the combination between Johnny and Niva has been strong and suits this game better.''
Alando Soakai, who has had a hamstring injury for the past two weeks, fills the openside flanker spot ahead of Tim Boys.
"It suits Alando's style to play against the Chiefs and that is why we made the change,'' Moore said.
Clint Newland, who was rested last week, returns at tighthead prop ahead of Chris King.
"We had a lot of confidence in Chris to do the job last week and he did that,'' Moore said. "Clint has been playing very well for us, and offers a bit more height for lifting in the lineout.''
Moore knows the upcoming game against the Chiefs will be difficult. "They hit their straps last week, and are a good all-around side,'' he said.
Moore said that the morale of the Highlanders remained strong, despite the team having narrowly lost its first six games.
"Close games are not good enough. You still have to win, even if it is by just one point,'' Moore said. "We have to make sure that happens.
"We have been competitive in every game, and there are some we should have won. We are now just focusing on winning games week by week.''
The Chiefs welcome back Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richard Kahui from injury. The inclusion of winger Sivivatu and centre Kahui, who had both been out with ankle injuries, were the only changes to the starting 15 named by coach Ian Foster.
A third outside back with an ankle problem, Sosene Anesi, was not considered for selection.
Foster said the Chiefs were determined to build on their win over the Bulls in Rotorua in the last round.
"This week is a local Kiwi derby, and these are usually tough physical games,'' he said.
"It's pretty important for us to build on the momentum we got from last week's win over the Bulls and deliver another quality performance".
Foster said the challenge remained for his players to maintain their focus up front, while making sure they continued to grow in confidence.
