Highlanders give squad update regarding recently-returned All Blacks
The Highlanders have announced the arrival of five replacement players to cover for injuries and the franchise’s All Blacks following their recent tour.
Earlier this week, the All Blacks completed seven days of MIQ after returning to New Zealand from their three-month tour of Australia, the United States and Europe.
Among the touring All Blacks squad included Highlanders captain Aaron Smith, loose forward Shannon Frizell and young prop Ethan de Groot.
As a result of their international commitments, all three players have been handed an extended break that won’t see them report for duty with the Highlanders until mid-to-late January.
The Dunedin-based franchise confirmed on Friday that it has called in three replacement players to fill the voids of Smith, Frizell and De Groot.
Those players are Otago loose forward Sam Fischli, Tasman, New Zealand U20 and Crusaders U20 prop Luca Inch, and Otago halfback James Arscott, who debuted for the Highlanders against the Waratahs during this year’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
That trio will be joined by a further two players who have also been drafted into the Highlanders squad as injury cover.
Otago, New Zealand U20 and Highlanders U20 halfback Nathan Hastie has been called into the squad to act as cover for Folau Fakatava, who is expected to return from his ruptured ACL in the early rounds of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific.
Openside flanker Billy Harmon, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the first half of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific due to a shoulder injury, and has been replaced by impressive Otago loose forward Christian Lio-Willie.
The news comes a day after the Highlanders announced that midfielder Patelesio Tomkinson has been ruled out for all of next year’s campaign and has been replaced in the squad by electric Taranaki wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone.
Highlanders head coach Tony Brown described the opportunity for Fischli, Inch, Arscott, Hastie, Lio-Willie and Tikoisolomone to train at Super Rugby level as “a real chance” to push for game time when the season kicks-off in February.
“It was always interesting to see how replacement players respond to the opportunity to come into the squad,” Brown said via a statement.
“They’re coming in off good provincial form and normally add extra enthusiasm and energy to our environment, it’s a real chance for them to stake a claim in the preseason and demonstrate they belong at Super Rugby level.”
The Highlanders begin their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on February 18.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments