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Dejected Otago player Kees Meeuws - Source: Photosport
The Highlanders' injury woes have worsened with assistant coach Kees Meeuws named on the bench for tomorrow's trial game against the Blues in Auckland.
The loss of tighthead props Chris King (groin) and Ma'afu Fia (hamstring) during last weekend's loss to the Chiefs has forced former All Black Meeuws to dust off his boots and give the Highlanders a hand.
Wellington prop Jacob Ellison has also been included on the bench as the Highlanders sweat on the progress of skipper Jamie Mackintosh who will be starting a game for the first time after offseason groin surgery.
The Highlanders also have issues in the midfield with fullback Ben Smith partnering new recruit Phil Burleigh who was drafted in from the Chiefs wider training squad this week.
Nineteen-year-old Southland centre Cardiff Vaega, son of former Manu Samoa international To'o Vaega, has been called up to the reserves.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph will be keeping an eye on the progress of the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan this weekend because a loss would mean Tamati Ellison returning to New Zealand in time for the season opener against the Chiefs next weekend.
Highlanders: Kurt Baker, Telusa Veainu, Ben Smith, Phil Burleigh, Hosea Gear, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, John Hardie, Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, Josh Bekhuis, Bronson Murray, Andrew Hore, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves; Jason Rutledge, Jacob Ellison, Cullum Retallick, Doug Tietjens, Aaron Smith, Chris Noakes, Buxton Popoali'i, Hoani MacDonald, Cardiff Vaega, Kees Meeuws.
