Highlanders to test new halfbacks
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has named two new halfbacks in a squad of 25 which leaves for South Africa from Dunedin early on Saturday.
With All Black Aaron Smith likely to be rested and Japan's Fumiaki Tanaka out with a shoulder injury, Joseph has included Te Aihe Toma and Jamie Booth in his squad to play the Kings in Port Elizabeth on July 3.
Uncapped five-eighth Fletcher Smith is also included, and two additional players are scheduled to join the squad from the All Blacks following Saturday's third Test against Wales.
From South Africa, the Highlanders will travel to Buenos Aires for their penultimate Super Rugby match against the Jaguares on July 10 before returning to Dunedin to host the Chiefs six days later.
The Highlanders are sitting in the fifth and last play-off spot in Super Rugby's Australasian group.
Highlanders touring squad: Aki Seiuli, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Josh Hohneck, Mark Reddish, Joe Wheeler, Gareth Evans, Shane Christie, Luke Whitelock, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Dan Pryor, Tom Franklin, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Ash Dixon, Te Aihe Toma, Marty Banks, Ryan Tongia, Rob Thompson, Jason Emery, Jack Wilson, Matt Faddes, Jamie Booth, Fletcher Smith, Teihorangi Walden, Patrick Osborne.
