Thursday 6 April 2017 18:44, UK
Sonny Bill Williams is set to return to Super Rugby action this weekend after spending eight months on the sidelines with an achilles injury.
The 31-year-old sustained the injury during New Zealand's Olympic sevens campaign in Rio and due to his involvement with the sevens side hasn't played in a competitive XVs match since the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham Stadium on 31 October 2015.
It's been a long road back to full fitness for the World Cup winner, who has said that his rehabilitation training has included gymnastics and he will be raring to go after such an extended absence from the game.
Williams and the Blues head to the Highlanders in the second match of the day on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2, and joining the centre on the bench is Bryn Gatland, son of the British and Irish Lions coach Warren.
Bryn Gatland's last minute drop-goal helped North Habour promotion to the NPC Premiership last year and he has been called up due to injuries to Ihaia West and Stephen Perofeta.
The Highlanders also have their own high-profile returnees as Ben Smith is back after the hamstring injury that forced his late withdrawal from the team last week.
With just one point separating the Highlanders and the Blues in the standings, it's set to be an intense derby at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"We all know the New Zealand derby matches are incredibly intense games, you have to be at your very best to come away with the win," said Highlanders coach Tony Brown.
"Being at home this time in front of our fans on a dry track will hopefully help us put on a big performance."
Elsewhere, the round will start on Friday morning when the Hurricanes host the Waratahs, live on Sky Sports 2.
The Hurricanes have decided to rest Vince Aso and Julian Savea, with Cory Jane and Wes Goosen replacing them.
It will be Jane's first start since he picked up a neck injury in round one and he will be joined by Bernard Foley, who has been cleared to play after concussion symptoms.
The Hurricanes are four from five so far and have picked up five bonus-points. In contrast, their opponents are currently running at a two from six success rate.
Prior to the Hurricanes hosting the Blues, the first game on Saturday will be live from Tokyo and it's the return match between the Sunwolves and the Bulls.
The most recent meeting between the two - on March 17 - finished with a Bulls victory 34-21 and on home turf the Sunwolves will be looking for their first win over the South African side.
In Canberra the Reds will be searching for a spot of inspiration on the road as they face the Brumbies and need to try and halt their five-match losing streak.
It could be a tough ask though, as the Brumbies have won the last four between the two sides and 21 of the 27 matches against the Reds.
The remaining two matches will see the Stormers play the Chiefs in Cape Town on Saturday, while the Force host the Kings on Sunday.
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