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Golden opportunity for former Under 20 flanker as injury strikes Crusaders
A warm and sunny evening is expected in the beautiful central Otago town of Wanaka for the annual Farmlands Cup pre-season fixture between the Highlanders and Crusaders.
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A capacity crowd of 7,000 will enjoy the traditional rivalry between the two South Island clubs, but there will be one unexpected absence in the form of Crusaders flanker Billy Harmon.
Harmon injured his knee in last weekend’s pre-season fixture between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes in Ashburton and will spend the better part of the next month on the sidelines.
The 25-year-old was poised to play a major role in the Crusaders’ season after spending the past two years backing up Matt Todd, who has now departed for Japan. While Harmon could miss minimal matches for the Crusaders, he may struggle to earn his spot back if his replacement makes a good fist of things on Friday night and over the opening rounds of Super Rugby 2020.
In Harmon’s place comes former Under 20 captain Tom Christie, who is entering his first season of Super Rugby.
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Christie has been marked as a player with a big future and will look to emulate the performances of the Crusaders’ former superstar opensides, Todd and Richie McCaw.
With 2020 captain Scott Barrett still a week away from returning, fullback David Havili will take on the leadership duties.
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“As coaches, we were really pleased with what we saw in Ashburton, particularly from some of our young players who certainly put their hand up,” head coach Scott Robertson said.
“We’re proud of them for taking their opportunity and it’s given us something to think about ahead of round one next week. The pre-season is a chance to test some of our combinations and structures, and we’ll do more of the same this Friday night. We’re looking forward to heading to Wanaka for another tough Farmlands Cup encounter.”
A Super Rugby rookie has been suspended from rugby after he was found guilty of serious misconduct in a New Zealand Rugby misconduct hearing.https://t.co/6iGfVfkHkD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 23, 2019
Highlander CEO Roger Clark is excited by the sell-out crowd coming to Wanaka.
“We are delighted by the response to this game, to have any match at full capacity prior to kick-off is always exciting. The Central Otago community certainly get in behind our pre-season games and I know the team love playing in this part of the world”, said Clark.
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Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger is looking for his players to make the most of their game time and bring plenty of energy and intent, “Friday’s match is a good chance to really get our game going, to do that we are going to have to be clinical and introduce a more physical edge to our game.”
After the Highlanders fell to the Waratahs in Sydney last weekend, Mauger has made a number of changes to the experimental starting line-up, which saw All Black pivot Josh Ioane slot into the midfield.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mRqk4gazt/
Ioane will spend the first half at fullback for the Highlanders then move into the more familiar 10 position in the second period. Former Crusaders first five, Mitch Hunt, will start the game at 10.
This will be the last preseason match for both the Highlanders and the Crusaders, with the Highlanders heading into their first-round bye next week before their first match against the Sharks on Feb 7.
The Crusaders, in contrast, will open their season against the Waratahs in Christchurch in round 1.
Highlanders (1st half): Josh Ioane, Time Fainga’anuku, Rob Thomposon, Teihorangi Walden, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes (c), Dillon Hunt, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Nathan Vella, Ayden Johnstone.
Highlanders (2nd half): Josh McKay, Kirisi Kuridrani, Patelesio Tompkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Josh Ioane, Folau Fakatava, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Dillon Hunt (c), Zane Kapeli, Jesse Parete, Jack Whetton, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Sebastian Siataga, Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Additional reserves: Ethan De Groot, Sione Misiloi, Aleki Morris
Crusaders: David Havili (c), Will Jordan, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Isi Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Manasa Mataele, Harry Allan, Luke Romano, Fetuli Paea.
– with Highlanders and Crusaders Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments