Highlanders bulk up bench in search of much-needed win over Chiefs

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph clearly liked what he saw in his side’s round 13 win over the Waratahs, and has made just one suspension-enforced change to his starting XV for this week’s must-win game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The Highlanders sit one place outside the playoff picture heading into their penultimate game of the season, desperately needing to make up more ground on the sixth-placed Reds, who sit three points ahead on the table with a game in hand.

However, Joseph and company will be without Jona Nareki for the remaining regular season campaign due to a two-match ban for his dangerous tackle during the win over the Waratahs. Replacing him at centre this week is Tanielu Tele’a, while one change on the bench sees Veveni Lasaqa added to the reserve unit in place of Xavier Tito-Harris, making it a 6/2 split.

The Southerners will again be led out by co-captains Ethan de Groot and Timoci Tavatavanawai, with the team needing more magic from star winger Caleb Tangitau to keep their hopes of a playoff berth alive.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

39

21

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Highlanders team to play the Chiefs

1. Ethan de Groot (cc)
2. Jack Taylor
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Tomás Lavanini
5. Mitch Dunshea
6. Te Kamaka Howden
7. Lucas Casey
8. Nikora Broughton
9. Adam Lennox
10. Cameron Millar
11. Jonah Lowe
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc)
13. Tanielu Tele’a
14. Caleb Tangitau
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Reserves

16. Henry Bell
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Saula Ma’u
19. Oliver Haig
20. Sean Withy
21. Veveni Lasaqa
22. Folau Fakatava
23. Taine Robinson

Injury list

Finn Hurley (Hamstring – 2–3 weeks)
Dylan Pledger (ACL, Season)
Fabian Holland (Shoulder, Season)
Josh Tengblad (Knee, Season)
Reesjan Pasitoa (Ankle, Season)
Josh Bartlett (Foot, Season)