Coach Jamie Joseph has welcomed back his two big guns for the pre-season game against the Chiefs in Taupo.
Lock Tom Donnelly and halfback Jimmy Cowan will get their first runs of an important season for both men.
Cowan is the established All Black and Highlanders halfback, and plays this year without the pressure of Super 15 captaincy.
Donnelly will be keen to show the sort of form that demands the All Black selectors include him when the final cut is made for the World Cup in September-October.
But while those two veterans are proven performers, first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga's career is just getting started.
Sopoaga, who turned 20 yesterday, gets the first opportunity to fill the boots vacated by injured new recruit Colin Slade.
With Slade out for six to seven weeks with a fractured jaw, the Highlanders must quickly get Sopoaga settled in.
He will be guided by Cowan, while outside Sopoaga will be another Wellington recruit, Shaun Treeby, who is joined by Kenny Lynn in midfield.
Ben Smith moves from fullback to the wing, and Southlander Robbie Robinson starts in the No 15 jersey.
Flanker Adam Thomson changes sides, with Alando Soakai starting in his customary openside position.
Loose forward John Hardie has concussion and is out pending medical testing.
Former Highlanders lock Hayden Triggs starts on the blindside flank for the Chiefs, with Scott Waldrom at openside and Fritz Lee at No 8 in a new-look loose trio.
Former All Black captain Tana Umaga starts at second five-eighth, in his comeback to Super rugby, outside former Highlanders first five Mike Delany.
HIGHLANDERS v CHIEFS
- The teams
• Highlanders: Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith, Kenny Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Kade Poki, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, David Te Moana, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.
- Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Nick Croswell, Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Siale Piutau, Matt Saunders, James Paterson, Telusa Veainu.
• Chiefs: Tim Nanai-Williams, Lelia Masaga, Save Tokula, Tana Umaga, Dwayne Sweeney, Mike Delany, Taniela Moa, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Hayden Triggs, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Daniel Perrin, Sona Taumalolo.
- Reserves: Toby Smith, Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Culum Retallick, Isaac Ross, Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Jackson Willison, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ahsee Tuala, Trent Renata, Taiasina Tuifua, Liam Messam.
