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Highlanders make one change ahead of must-win Blues derby
The Highlanders have only made one change to their starting side ahead of their must-win clash against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday.
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Following the Highlanders’ thrilling win over the Queensland Reds in Dunedin, head coach Clarke Dermody has named Scott Gregory on the right wing – Jonah Lowe falls out of the matchday 23.
Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio and Jermaine Ainsley make up the front row trio this week, while Pari Pari Parkinson and Max Hicks round out the tight five.
Captain Billy Harmon will pack down in the loose forward trio Shannon Frizell and Hugh Renton.
All Black Aaron Smith joins Freddie Burns in the halves again this week, while fullback Mitch Hunt will provide another playmaking option in attack.
Matt Whaanga – who was called into the run-on side as a last-minute replacement last week – has retained his spot in the No. 13 alongside goalkicking ace Sam Gilbert.
Finally, Jonah Nareki and Scott Gregory take their places on the wings.
The highly anticipated New Zealand derby between the Highlanders and Blues is set to get underway at Eden Park at 7.05pm NZST on Friday night.
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Highlanders team to take on Blues
- Ethan de Groot
- Andrew Makalio
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Pari Pari Parkinson
- Max Hicks
- Shannon Frizell
- Billy Harmon (c)
- Hugh Renton
- Aaron Smith
- Freddie Burns
- Jona Nareki
- Sam Gilbert
- Matt Whaanga
- Scott Gregory
- Mitch Hunt
Replacements:
- Rhys Marshall
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Saula Ma’u
- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- Sean Withy
- Folau Fakatava
- Connor Garden-Bachop
- Fetuli Paea
Not available: Vili Koroi, Luca Inch, Marty Banks, Jeff Thwaites, Josh Timu, Jake Te Hiwi, Fabian Holland, Josh Dickson, Martin Bogado, James Lentjes, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments