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21-year-old first five handed maiden start with Highlanders
Fly-half Ajay Faleafaga will start at Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time on Saturday when the Highlanders take on the fifth-placed Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
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The Highlanders will fly out of Dunedin tomorrow ahead of a two-game tour across the ditch in Australia. After playing the Rebels, the Landers will also take on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
After a disappointing 47-12 loss to the still-undefeated Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium late last month, the Highlanders will be desperate to bounce back when they return from their bye week.
“We were disappointed with how we finished before the bye,” head coach Clarke Dermody said in a statement.
“However, we know what we need to do as a team to improve our standing. These net four games are crucial for our season, and both the playing and coaching team are ready to meet the challenge.”
21-year-old playmaker Ajay Faleafaga will start in the halves along with All Black Folau Fakatava, and there are another two players on the bench in line to debut.
Faleafaga made a try-scoring debut for the Highlanders in their round two loss to the Blues in Dunedin, and has gone on to feature another four times off the pine.
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“We’ve been impressed by Ajay’s performances off the bench so far and he has earned his chance to direct the team against the Rebels this weekend,” Dermody added.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
30
29
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
80%
“Both of our potential debutants, Will and Hugo, have been diligent in their training and shown potential in their performances with the Bravehearts and I know they are both excited at the prospect of debuting for the Highlanders
Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell and Saula Ma’u make up the front row, while Oliver Haig will start in the No. 4 jersey ahead of Fabian Holland who has been ruled out due to HIA protocols.
Pari Pari Parkinson is the other lock. Sean Withy, captain Billy Harmon and Nikora Broughton will form a formidable loose forward trio as the Highlanders look to return to winning ways.
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Outside of the previously mentioned halves pairing, vice-captain Sam Gilbert will combine with the ever-reliable Jonah Lowe in the midfield.
The All-Star outside backs combination of Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will get another run this week.
Youngsters Hugo Plummer and Will Stodart are the two potential debutants on the bench.
This match is scheduled to get underway at 9:35 pm NZT on Saturday evening at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Highlanders team to take on Rebels
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Henry Bell
- Saula Ma’u
- Oliver Haig
- Pari Pari Parkinson
- Sean Withy
- Billy Harmon (c)
- Nikora Broughton
- Folau Fakatava
- Ajay Faleafaga
- Jona Nareki
- Sam Gilbert (vc)
- Jonah Lowe
- Timoci Tavatavanawai
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements
- Ricky Jacobson
- Ethan de Groot
- Rohan Wingham
- Hugo Plummer*
- Will Stodart*
- James Arscott
- Matt Whaanga
- Connor Garden-Bachop
Injured/unavailable: Fabian Holland (HIA), Tom Sanders (HIA), Hugh Renton (ankle), Jermaine Ainsely (back), Nathan Hastie (shoulder)
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
4 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
4 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
4 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
96 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
96 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
96 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
96 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
96 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
96 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
96 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
96 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
96 Go to comments