Tevita Nabura will make his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders on Friday night.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has made two changes to his starting side for their home match against the Stormers on Friday night.

A fortnight after opening the season by beating the Blues, Mauger has replaced left-wing Tevita Li with the uncapped Tevita Nabura, while Liam Coltman will start at hooker in place of Ash Dixon, who has been scratched due to a back injury.

Hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate comes on to the bench to cover Coltman, while loose forward/lock Shannon Frizell and halfback Josh Renton have also been included in the 23.

Hulking Counties Manukau wing Nabura will make his Super Rugby debut, as will Tasman's Frizell, should he get off the pine.

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Not surprisingly, Mauger has retained the midfield pairing of Tei Walden and Rob Thompson after their outstanding performances against the Blues.

Walden, who like Thompson scored a double in the season-opener, told media this week he was surprised to get the nod in the No 12 jersey at the start of the season.

The Stormers, flogged by the Crusaders last week in Christchurch, have spent the first part of the week in Queenstown and are expected to arrive in Dunedin on Thursday.

"The Stormers are a big side so we expect a physical encounter, they are also a dangerous team with ball in hand in open spaces, so we are well aware of those threats and have prepared to meet those challenges," Mauger said.

"Of course, for our team it's another opportunity to put a good performance together at home for our people; we will certainly be working hard to do just that."

AT A GLANCE

Highlanders v Stormers

Dunedin, Forsyth Barr Stadium,

7.35pm, Friday

Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Nabura, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes.