Ben Smith fit and back again

Highlander’s fullback Ben Smith has been cleared to start against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.

The All Black co-captain sat out his team's last two games with concussion, after he took a nasty blow to the head in a season opening loss to the Chiefs in Dunedin.

Smith's return is much needed good news for Coach Tony Brown, whose side has been ravaged by injuries through the opening three weeks of the competition. 

However, including season ending injuries to Jason Emery and Hayden Parker, 15 players were unavailable for selection against the Hurricanes. 

The casualty list features four loose forwards, including All Black Liam Squire. Fellow All Blacks Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga are also out with hamstring injuries. 

 Halfback Aaron Smith will start his 98th game for the Highlanders, and will combine with No 10 Fletcher Smith. 

In his third game for the franchise, Smith's been named at pivot in place of Sopoaga, leaving Marty Banks to provide cover off the bench. 

"Fletcher has trained well and showed some good form in preseason," Brown said. "He's a young player with a lot of potential and we back him to do the job for the team on Saturday." 

Young Otago openside flanker Dillon Hunt, who debuted off the bench last week, will start in the No 7 jersey, while Elliot Dixon will start on the blindside. 

Smith's return at fullback moves Richard Buckman to the right-wing, while Matt Faddes returns to the squad after a couple of weeks away. 

 

Highlanders: Ben Smith (c), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li, Fletcher Smith, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Sekonia Pole,Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Matt Faddes.

 

Photo: Brendon Thorne (Ben Smith has been cleared from his concussion suffered in week one against the Chiefs).