Highlanders without Smith or Fakatava for Force clash

The Highlanders are gearing up for a tough match against the Western Force in Perth this weekend, following a bye week that gave several injured players crucial time to recover.

Despite a strong showing in their first encounter in Invercargill, where the Highlanders narrowly missed out on a bonus point, head coach Clarke Dermody is fully aware of the challenge that the Force will present on their home turf.

"The Western Force are a formidable team at home and have already shown this season that they cannot be taken lightly by any team," Dermody said.

"They play fast, attractive rugby and we know we will have our hands full come Saturday. They're a team that doesn't let up, and we will need to put in an eighty-minute performance to come away with the win."

The bye week has given several key players, including Freddie Burns, Fabian Holland, Connor Garden-Bachop, Will Tucker, Mitch Hunt, and Josh Timu, vital time to recover from injuries and bolster the side.

However, the team will be without Aaron Smith, Josh Dickson, and Folau Fakatava for personal reasons and illness.

As a result of missing both All Black No 9s, the Highlanders have given a rare starting berth for James Arscott and a homecoming of sorts for young halfback Nathan Hastie, who spent his formative years playing in Perth before moving to New Zealand with his family.

"It's great to have a few players coming back, but it's unfortunate that we had to leave some behind," Dermody said.

Despite missing their halfbacks, the Highlanders are as strong as they have been this season.

All Blacks Ethan de Groot and Shannon Frizell will start while Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, who returned against Moana Pasifika in round six, has been named at No 8.

Highlanders team to play the Force:

1. Ethan de Groot

2. Andrew Makalio

3. Jermaine Ainsley

4. Pari Pari Parkinson

5. Will Tucker

6. Shannon Frizell

7. Billy Harmon ©

8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u

9. James Arscott

10. Mitch Hunt

11. Jonah Lowe

12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen

13. Fetuli Paea

14. Connor Garden-Bachop

15. Sam Gilbert

Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Saula Ma’u 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Sean Withy 21. Nathan Hastie 22. Freddie Burns 23. Josh Timu