Highlanders welcome back Squire for Bulls clash

Dunedin - Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has named his team for Friday's Super Rugby clash against the Bulls at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Mauger has selected an experienced pack and will welcome the return of All Black loose forward Liam Squire for his first match of the season.

Also back from injury are lock Jackson Hemopo and wing Tevita Li, while Josh McKay will get his first start of the year at fullback and prop Sef Fa'agase comes onto the bench for the injured Daniel Lienert-Brown.

It's a big night for No 8 Luke Whitelock who will captain the side in his 100 Super Rugby game and will also bring up 50 games for the Highlanders.

Kick-off is at 09:35 (SA time) on Friday.

Teams:

Highlanders

15 Josh McKay, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joshua Dickson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Bulls

15 Divan Rossouw , 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handre Pollard (captain) , 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Johan Grobbelaar, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 JT Jackson

Luke Whitelock will lead the team in his 100th Super Rugby game! Stick around at the end of the game as we've got a preso for Luke AND a special preso for Ben Smith! Fans with be able to come onto the field too!

FULL RELEASE: https://t.co/cgO3A5hX6k#HighlandersANDyou #HIGvBUL pic.twitter.com/E15GC01dHX

— Pulse Energy Highlanders (@Highlanders) June 5, 2019