Big prop Jamie Mackintosh is back in the reckoning as the Highlanders look to end a disappointing season with a flourish against the Reds in Brisbane tomorrow night.
Mackintosh, the vice-captain, has recovered from a turf toe injury he suffered in late March and has been named on the bench by coach Glenn Moore.
Moore has decided against making any changes to his starting forward pack outplayed by the Brumbies last weekend.
The only change comes in the backs, with centre Kendrick Lynn fully recovered from a groin strain.
His return means Ben Smith moves back to the wing while James Paterson drops to the bench.
Moore said the side still had plenty to play for and had trained well this week.
The team will move into Brisbane today after spending the week on the Gold Coast.
The Reds are not mathematically out of the play-offs but it would take a miracle to end all miracles for it not to be their last game of the competition.
The Reds have had injury concerns all season and have been forced to make five changes from the side which lost to the Hurricanes last weekend.
Jake Schatz will start on the openside flank, as Daniel Braid fails to recover from a knee injury, which also kept him out last week.
Ben Tapuai has been picked at second five-eighth in place of the injured Anthony Faingaa, who has a sore shoulder.
Prop James Slipper will make his Super 14 debut replacing Ben Daley who tore a tricep muscle at training on Tuesday.
Sean Hardman will play his 148th and last game for the Reds at hooker, replacing Saia Faingaa, who injured his neck last week.
Ben Lucas starts for the first time at fullback, with Peter Hynes moving to the wing.
The match will be refereed by Steve Walsh, the first time this season the Highlanders have had the former New Zealand official in charge
Highlanders v Reds
Brisbane, tomorrow, 9.40pm
Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Mathew Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Bronson Murray, Jason Rutledge, Chris King.
Reserves: Peter Mirrielees, Jamie Mackintosh, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Scott Cowan, Robbie Robinson, James Paterson.
Reds: Ben Lucas, Peter Hynes, Will Chambers, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (captain), Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz, Scott Higginbotham, Van Humphries, Radike Samo, Greg Holmes, Sean Hardman, James Slipper.
Reserves: James Hanson, Jack Kennedy, Ezra Taylor, Poutasi Luafutu, Ed Quirk, Brando Va'aulu, Richard Kingi.
