The luckless Highlanders will face the unbeaten NSW Waratahs without two thirds of their All Blacks contingent after captain Jimmy Cowan was ruled out of their Super 14 rugby match in Sydney on Friday night.

Halfback Cowan's elbow injury - sustained during the season-opening 31-33 loss to the Brumbies - forces him to miss another week while loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh is out of action for at least another five rounds after damaging a knee in the same match.

The pair's absence leaves flanker Adam Thomson as the franchise's only current All Black.

In the only change to the 15 who started last Friday's 17-22 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington, Fetu'u Vainikolo is restored to the left wing after serving a one-match suspension.

Vainikolo was stood down by Highlanders management and censured by the New Zealand Rugby Union after throwing a drink over a woman in a Dunedin bar hours after the defeat to the Brumbies.

He replaces Kendrick Lynn, who drops to the reserves.

The Waratahs, one of four unbeaten teams, are second on the standings after recording wins over the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

Highlanders: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark (captain), Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, David Hall, Chris King.

Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Anthony Perenise, George Naoupu, Tim Boys, Scott Cowan, Mathew Berquist, Kendrick Lynn.

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