Naturally one of the more optimistic rugby coaches in the Super 14, Greg Cooper had more reason to smile today with the return of a key strike weapon.

After witnessing another of his Highlanders backline succumb to injury last week when Craig Clare broke a leg, Cooper welcomed back winger Viliame Waqaseduadua after naming his team to play the cellar-dwelling Reds in Dunedin on Friday night.

Barring their round four win against the Stormers, the ninth-placed Highlanders have struggled to cross the opposition tryline this season and have the second worst points for record in the competition.

Waqaseduaudua, who missed last week's loss to the Blues due to a head and shoulder injury, gives Cooper some quality finishing out wide.

His return, coupled with the injury prone Nick Evans retaining his position at first-five eighth, gives Cooper cause for hope that he can consistently field some of his major assets.

"The important thing is to get momentum with regular combinations on the field and that's the most important thing," Cooper told NZPA today.

"We're slowly getting over some of the injuries. The forward pack's remained intact throughout the competition, the backline's been decimated.

"I think the introduction of Vili against the Stormers (in a 35-24 win on February 24) and some other strong performances that day led to a little bit of confidence and belief.

"Most teams just require the combinations to develop and hopefully now we can get players on the field and let that happen."

Cooper quickly credited the performances of Charlie Hore and Callum Bruce in deputising at No 10 while Evans was injured, but there is no disguising the All Blacks pivot is crucial to releasing the Highlanders attackers.

Combine a fit Evans with the sterling performances of halfback and fellow international Jimmy Cowan, and it's clear if the Highlanders harbour semifinal aspirations that pair is the key combination that needs maximum time to develop.

"If they're there they provide that crucial experience to what is ultimately a young, inexperienced side," Cooper said.

"You don't become All Blacks unless you've got special qualities so it would be nice to get them on the field in the future games."

Besides Waqaseduaudua's swap for Clare, Cooper has installed Aaron Bancroft at second five-eighth, with Bruce shifting to the bench, while Ezra Taylor get his first Super 14 start at No 8.

Josh Blackie reverts from No 8 to openside flanker with Alando Soakai dropping to the bench.

Cooper said Taylor was a very "on offensive No 8" and that aggression would be required against a large Reds pack.

While they boast size, the Eddie Jones-coached Reds have failed to convert their opening season win over the Hurricanes into more productive results, while they have suffered some narrow defeats.

Wallabies prop Rodney Blake has been named in the Reds squad for the match at Carisbrook before he undergoes season-ending ankle surgery, while Cooper said his players had a simple goal heading into next week's bye.

"It's been a difficult year. It's been tough with a number of factors. The very demanding start with the travel (to South Africa) and three of the teams we've played are in the top four at the moment.

"We're positioned around about mid-table with only one home game so far, and if we can secure a victory this weekend it will possibly put us somewhere near the top six.

"Going into the bye week that would be a satisfactory result."

Highlanders team named today for Friday's Super 14 rugby match against the Reds in Dunedin:-

Glen Horton, Lucky Mulipola, Matthew Saunders, Aaron Bancroft, Viliamne Waqaseduadua, Nick Evans, Jimmy Cowan, Ezra Taylor, Josh Blackie (captain), Craig Newby, James Ryan, Hoani MacDonald, Chris King, Jason Macdonald, Clarke Dermody.

Reserves: James Wilson, Callum Bruce, Toby Morland, Alando Soakai, Kane Thompson, Jamie Mackintosh, David Hall.