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Highlanders welcome back exciting youngster for Crusaders clash
The Highlanders have welcomed back exciting youngster Connor Garden-Bachop from a long-term injury for this weekend’s clash against the Crusaders.
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The match will be the first Garden-Bachop has played for the Highlanders since last year’s extra-time defeat at the hands of the Chiefs after a broken wrist ruled him out for the remainder of his side’s 2021 Super Rugby campaign.
That injury brought a premature end to a standout debut season for the 22-year-old outside back, who was a strong contender for the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Rookie of the Year title after some impressive performances on the right wing and at fullback.
It’s in the No 15 jersey where Garden-Bachop will line up for the Highlanders this Friday as one of only two changes made to the starting lineup by head coach Tony Brown following their Super Rugby Pacific season-opening loss to the Chiefs last week.
Garden-Bachop’s selection at fullback has forced Sam Gilbert onto the right wing in place of Mosese Dawai, while midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen has been named to start at second-five in place of Scott Gregory.
Umaga-Jensen impressed with his efforts off the bench in his side’s 26-16 defeat to the Chiefs, and has duly been rewarded as he looks to continue his highly-touted midfield partnership with two-test Tongan international Fetuli Paea.
Only one further change has been made in the reserves, with loose forward Hugh Renton filling the No 23 jersey vacated by Umaga-Jensen.
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New recruit and former Crusaders hooker Andrew Makalio (calf) is the only player unavailable due to injury.
Friday’s South Island derby will be the Highlanders’ first under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium this season, although no fans will be in attendance under New Zealand’s current red light Covid setting.
In a statement, Brown said he was disappointed his side’s first game of the year at their home ground will be played behind closed doors, but remained optimistic about the attendance of fans in the future.
“Naturally we would love to be playing our first home game in front of a packed stadium, we love it when Forsyth Barr is full and really thrive off the energy from our fans,” he said via a statement.
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“However, we know we got a job to do and will be focused on that this weekend. We’re hopeful that we will get back to playing in front of a full stadium soon.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match between the local rivals is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Highlanders team to play the Crusaders
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Liam Coltman
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
5. Josh Dickson
6. Shannon Frizell
7. James Lentjes (vc)
8. Gareth Evans
9. Aaron Smith (c)
10. Mitch Hunt (vc)
11. Josh Timu
12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13. Fetuli Paea
14. Sam Gilbert
15. Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Bryn Evans
20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Marty Banks
23. Hugh Renton
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 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.
51 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.
3 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
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 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
51 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.
51 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.
51 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.
51 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 comments