Highlanders five-eighth Hayden Parker will get his first start of the Super Rugby season on Saturday night, replacing the injured Lima Sopoaga against the Lions.

Sopoaga is expected to be out for two weeks after spraining an ankle during the 29-28 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.

Parker’s inclusion is one of six changes to the Highlanders’ starting 15 for the match in Dunedin.

Among other changes, Jason Emery comes in on the left wing and Phil Burleigh at inside centre.

In the forwards, Shanes Christie takes over the No.7 jersey, while hooker Ged Robinson and prop Ma’afu Fia are part of a reshuffled front row.

The Highlanders go into the match after a South African trip in which they bagged a healthy haul of seven points out of a possible 10.

They are eighth on the table, but separated from the top six only on percentage.

The Lions, who are on a four-match losing run, are back in 12th spot.

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-capt), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-capt), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Josh Bekhuis, Joe Wheeler, Ma’afu Fia, Ged Robinson, Chris King. Res: Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, Kane Hames, Tom Franklin, TJ Ioane, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, Gareth Evans.