Waikato's All Black fullback Mils Muliaina will start in Friday night's provincial championship rugby match against Otago in Hamilton
Coach Chris Gibbes says it's exciting to have Muliaina back in his team, which will be missing halfback Brendon Leonard, who was injured in a collision in the win over Northland.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow has come off the bench to replace Leonard while other injury absentees include fringe All Blacks hooker Aled de Malmanche.