Highly-touted fullback to debut with Highlanders' season on line

The Highlanders have named what could be their final matchday team of the year, should results not go their way in round 15.

The men from Dunedin have a bye in the final round of the season, so have just Saturday’s game against the competition-leading Hurricanes to make up the four competition points they are currently trailing by in the playoff race. The team can steal the Reds’ playoff berth with a bonus-point victory in Wellington, provided the Queenslanders — and the seventh-placed Waratahs — lose their remaining two games without any bonus points.

It’s a narrow window, but that hasn’t stopped head coach Jamie Joseph backing the youth in his squad.

Unfortunately, Caleb Tangitau’s name has been added to the Highlanders’ talent-rich season-ending injury list, but that has created an opportunity for Xavier Tito-Harris to start on the right wing and for Wellington product Stanley Solomon to make his potential Super Rugby debut from the bench in his hometown.

Other changes in the matchday 23 include Nic Shearer’s return to the starting team at halfback, with Adam Lennox shifting to the bench. Jona Nareki returns from suspension to line up at centre, with Meihana Grindlay providing midfield cover in his potential Highlanders debut.

In the forwards, Hugh Renton is back at No.8, replacing the injured Nikora Broughton, and partnering emerging star Lucas Casey and the competition’s leading tackler TK Howden in the loose forwards.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

36

17

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

Highlanders team to play the Hurricanes

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Jack Taylor
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Tomás Lavanini
5. Mitch Dunshea
6. Te Kamaka Howden
7. Lucas Casey
8. Hugh Renton (cc)
9. Nic Shearer
10. Cameron Millar
11. Jonah Lowe
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc)
13. Jona Nareki
14. Xavier Tito-Harris
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Reserves

16. Henry Bell
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Saula Ma’u
19. Oliver Haig
20. Sean Withy
21. Adam Lennox
22. Stanley Solomon ** (Super Rugby and Highlanders Debut)
23. Meihana Grindlay * (Highlanders Debut)

Injury list

Finn Hurley (Hamstring – 1–2 weeks)
Nikora Broughton (Knee – 2 weeks)
Dylan Pledger (ACL, Season Ending)
Fabian Holland (Shoulder, Season Ending)
Josh Tengblad (Knee, Season Ending)
Reesjan Pasitoa (Ankle, Season Ending)
Josh Bartlett (Foot, Season Ending)
Caleb Tangitau (Achilles, Season Ending)