Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger sheds light on Josh Ioane's shock switch

Ioane has ceded the No10 jersey to new recruit Mitch Hunt, who joined the club from the Crusaders following the 2019 campaign, while Josh McKay and Michael Collins have shared duties at fullback.

Running two playmakers in the starting XV allows the Highlanders to play at pace, which has shown promise through the opening rounds of the season.

"I think if you look at the two opportunities we finished last week (against the Crusaders), those guys were both in amongst it," Mauger pointed out.

"We want to play fast, there's no secret to it."

Prop Ayden Johnstone and hooker Liam Coltman swap places with Daniel Lienert-Brown and Ash Dixon, the latter moving into the starting side, while lock Jack Whetton replaces the injured Josh Dickson and Teariki Ben-Nicholas replaces Shannon Frizell who is observing his first All Blacks rest week.

In the back line, McKay earns a recall to the starting side on the wing, with Collins retaining the No15 jersey.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

In other news: