19 Mar 2014

Thorn returns for Highlanders

5:53 pm on 19 March 2014

The Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph, has the luxury of a fully fit squad to take on the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby encounter in Dunedin.

The former All Blacks lock, Brad Thorn, has been named to start after suffering a rib injury in the side's opening win against the Blues, while the wing, Patrick Osborne, will also start after recovering from an ankle problem.

The only other changes give the prop, Ma'afu Fia, and the midfielder, Phil Burleigh, their first starts of the season.

Highlanders

1 - Kane Hames

2 - Liam Coltman

3 - Ma'afu Fia

4 - Brad Thorn

5 - Joe Wheeler

6 - Elliot Dixon

7 - Shane Christie

8 - Nasi Manu (co-captain)

9 - Aaron Smith

10 - Lima Sopoaga

11 - Patrick Osborne

12 - Phil Burleigh

13 - Malakai Fekitoa

14 - Richard Buckman

15 - Ben Smith (co-captain)

Reserves

16 - Ged Robinson

17 - Matias Diaz

18 - Chris King

19 - Jarrad Hoeata

20 - TJ Ioane

21 - Fumiaki Tanaka

22 - Hayden Parker

23 - Shaun Treeby