Former All Black first five-eighths Tony Brown has been given a rest and replaced by Nick Evans in the Highlanders side to meet the Cats in Dunedin tonight.
Four changes have been made to the starting XV after the team's last-minute 36-35 loss to the Sharks last weekend.
Glen Horton comes back
at fullback, Ryan Nicholas at second five-eighths and Hale T-Pole gets his first start at blindside flanker.
Evans will play in his specialist position after being at fullback for the past two games. He was the regular first five-eighths for North Harbour in last year's NPC.
"Nick had strong pre-season form and brings something different into the position," Cooper said yesterday.
Horton, 20, impressed at fullback against the Reds and Stormers.
"Glen is a solid performer and has not made any mistakes at this level of rugby," Cooper said. "He is an exciting footballer if given the opportunity."
Nicholas, who was sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury against the Stormers, returns in place of Seru Rabeni.
Flanker Josh Blackie was ruled out of consideration because of a side strain.
Craig Newby has been shifted from No 6 to his specialist openside flanker spot and T-Pole brought into the side.
The Cats have made three changes - two in the backs and one in the forwards - to the XV who started against the Hurricanes last weekend.
Jorrie Muller gets a start at fullback ahead of Conrad Jantjes, Rudi Coetzee comes in at second five-eighths for Doppies le Grang, and Roland Bernard will start at blindside flanker for Henry Sholtz.
* HIGHLANDERS vs CATS Dunedin, 5.30 tonight
- NZPA
* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.
2004 Super 12 draw, results and points table
New Zealand squads and information
Australian squads
South African squads
