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The Highlanders have named their fifth team of the 2022 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season to play the Blues on Friday afternoon at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
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After a COVID forced week off the Highlanders have reassembled and are preparing to take on the Blues for the second time this season. The tough loss to the Blues in Auckland in round four will still be fresh in the team’s mind.
Head Coach, Tony Brown said, “it was disappointing to lose to the Blues two weeks ago and we’ve got an opportunity to have another go at them. We’re just looking for an improved performance that puts them under pressure for longer and enables us to create opportunities, especially into the second half. We’re really looking for a full 80 minute performance.”
Co-vice-Captain James Lentjes returns to starting team and Daniel Lienert-Brown will start at loosehead prop. The remainder of the forward pack remains unchanged from the previous game against the Blues.
In the backline, Scott Gregory replaces Thomas Umaga-Jensen who is recovering from a groin injury at second-five and Sam Gilbert returns to fullback.
Fabian Holland is set to make is debut for the Highlanders off the bench this weekend. The Dutch national has been in New Zealand since he was 16 and after playing for the Highlander’s and New Zealand U20 teams last year he is looking forward to getting his Super Rugby cap first cap as a Highlander.
For Holland, “I grew up watching these guys and now I could be playing with them on Saturday. If the opportunity comes to take the field I’m going to give it all I’ve got – it’s a dream come true.”
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Brown commented, “it’s a great opportunity for Fabian, he’s been outstanding in our training environment this year and while he’s a young, he’s a really exciting player, and I’m sure he will feed off the energy from the team and crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.”
Following yesterday’s Government announcement, Forsyth Barr Stadium will open the doors for unrestricted crowds in the stands in a move that has both the fans and the team excited.
Highlanders v Blues – 4:35pm, Saturday 26th March, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Liam Coltman
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Josh Dickson
- Shannon Frizell
- James Lentjes (Co-Vice Captain)
- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- Aaron Smith (Captain)
- Mitch Hunt (Co-Vice Captain)
- Mosese Dawai
- Scott Gregory
- Fetuli Paea
- Ngatungane Punivai
- Sam Gilbert
Reserves
16. Andrew Makalio
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Fabian Holland *
20. Gareth Evans
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Vilimoni Koroi
23. Hugh Renton
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*Debut
Injured: Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Groin), Liam Coombes-Fabling (Knee), Josh Timu (Knee)
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments