Only two Highlanders - centre Siale Piutau (Pirates) and fullback Kurt Baker (Alhambra-Union) - will be playing club rugby in Otago on Saturday.
Highlanders operations manager Greg O'Brien confirmed yesterday the two backs were the only players set to appear in Otago club rugby during the team's bye week.
It will be a third consecutive week in club rugby for Baker, while Piutau gets back on the field after a long injury break.
There was speculation that hooker Andrew Hore and loose forward James Haskell could be playing for Maniototo in the White Horse Cup challenge against Arrowtown.
But Maniototo club president Paul Dougherty said the two internationals would not be appearing in the game.
It is understood Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph did not give permission for any regular Super 15 player to play club rugby.
The Highlanders face a long season and do not need any of their players involved in extra games and risking injuries.
Two players in the Pirates premier side were badly injured in the last game against Alhambra-Union. Otago representative Glenn Dickson broke his jaw and Kenton Leiataua broke his leg.
In Southland, hooker Brayden Mitchell and No 8 Elliot Dixon have already played a game for Star and Blues respectively, and will probably play again on Saturday.
The Highlanders' next game is against the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday, April 20.
