No sooner had the Highlanders celebrated the return of the man best equipped to release their backline than their most potent attacking force replaced him on the Super 14 rugby sidelines.

Any joy surrounding first five-eighth Nick Evans' season debut against the Blues in Auckland on Friday night has been tempered by the late withdrawal of Fijian Vili Waqaseduadua.

The North Harbour wing was initially expected to line-up on the left wing but was ruled out today after failing to recover sufficiently from a head knock sustained during the Highlanders 35-24 defeat of the Stormers in Dunedin last Saturday.

Waqaseduadua was replaced late in the game after aggravating a knee injury though the head/neck strain prevented him from training over the last two days.

He is expected to be available for the Highlanders sixth round clash with the Reds at Carisbrook.

Waqaseduadua's absence has robbed the Highlanders of a crucial facet of a backline attack which finally clicked into gear in their impressive win at Carisbrook.

Injured during the Highlanders' season-opening win over Western Force at Perth in round one, Waqaseduadua made a quicker-than- anticipated recovery and was one of the Highlanders' three try scorers as they banked a maximum five-point return from their rout of the Stormers.

Waqaseduadua has been replaced by Craig Clare while Southland fullback James Wilson comes on to the bench as cover for the back three.

Evans, meanwhile, has passed a fitness test on his right leg following a contact session on Monday and a kicking workout with All Blacks kicking coach Mick Byrne yesterday.

The return of the eight-test All Blacks utility is an obvious boost for the mid-table Highlanders, who are seeking a third win and just their second on Eden Park since Super rugby began in 1996.

Meanwhile, former All Blacks loose forward Craig Newby reaches the 50-game milestone for the franchise at No 8 in a loose trio which features captain Josh Blackie on the blindside and Alando Soakai.

In other changes from the squad who beat the Stormers, reserve forwards Keith Cameron and Kane Thompson are replaced by Jamie Mackintosh and Filipo Levi respectively.

Highlanders team named today for the Super 14 rugby match against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday night:-

Glen Horton, Lucky Mulipola, Matthew Saunders, Callum Bruce, Craig Clare, Nick Evans, Jimmy Cowan, Craig Newby, Alando Soakai, Josh Blackie (captain), James Ryan, Hoani MacDonald, Chris King, Jason MacDonald, Clarke Dermody.

Reserves: David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh, Filipo Levi, Hale T-Pole, Toby Morland, Aaron Bancroft, James Wilson.