Highlanders first-five Josh Ioane has been ruled out of Saturday night’s Super Rugby Aotearoa opener against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The young All Black sustained a groin injury at training on Friday and will be assessed throughout next week, the Highlanders said.
Mitch Hunt, who was originally selected at fullback, will start in the No. 10 jersey in Hunt’s absence, with sevens star Vilimoni Koroi promoted to the starting lineup in what will be his first Super Rugby outing.
Bryn Gatland, the son of Chiefs coach Warren Gatland, has been added to the bench.
