New starting wingers for Highlanders as Lavanini returns

There is mixed news on the injury front for the Highlanders in this week’s team naming, with both wingers who started last week against the Blues unavailable, while fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Keepkens is returning to the starting lineup.

The concussion Caleb Tangitau suffered while setting up Tanielu Tele’a’s try at Eden Park will keep him on the sidelines for at least one week, as will the ankle injury Jona Nareki picked up in the 64th minute of the match. The absences have made way for Xavier Tito-Harris’s first start in Super Rugby, just a week after his debut, while Jonah Lowe moves back to the wing after playing at centre for much of the season to date.

Reesjan Pasitoa has been diagnosed with a season-ending ankle injury, the fourth of the campaign for the Highlanders after Dylan Pledger (ACL), Fabian Holland (shoulder) and Josh Tengblad (knee).

Coach Jamie Joseph has also made some voluntary adjustments to the matchday 23, affecting the lineout in particular, with Oliver Haig returning to the blindside flank after starting the season as a lock, Tomás Lavanini returning from injury, and Soane Vikena starting at hooker as Jack Taylor shifts to the bench.

Saula Ma’u is in line for his first start of the year, with Angus Ta’avao moved to the bench, while both Nikora Broughton and Adam Lennox have retained their starting spots for another week.

“This is a different team to the one we played earlier in the season, big and physical and they demonstrated last week that they are still a very committed team with the ability to test any team,” Joseph said of this week’s opponents, Moana Pasifika.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

42 - 12

31 - 26

24 - 14

27 - 17

47 - 40

17 - 50

19 - 45

27 - 17

29 - 14

17 - 62

2

Wins

0

1

Streak

5

17

Tries Scored

14

-32

Points Difference

-129

4/5

First Try

2/5

4/5

First Points

2/5

1/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

Highlanders team to play Moana Pasifika

1. Ethan de Groot (cc)
2. Soane Vikena
3. Saula Ma’u
4. Mitch Dunshea
5. Tomás Lavanini
6. Oliver Haig
7. Veveni Lasaqa
8. Nikora Broughton
9. Adam Lennox
10. Cameron Millar
11. Xavier Tito-Harris
12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc)
13. Tanielu Tele’a
14. Jonah Lowe
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

IMPACT
16. Jack Taylor
17. Josh Bartlett
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Te Kamaka Howden
20. Hugh Renton
21. Lucas Casey
22. Folau Fakatava
23. Taine Robinson

Unavailable due to injury:
Caleb Tangitau (Concussion 1–2 weeks)
Finn Hurley (Hamstring 4–6 weeks)
Jona Nareki (Ankle – 1 week)

Season Ending:
Dylan Pledger (ACL)
Fabian Holland (Shoulder)
Josh Tengblad (Knee)
Reesjan Pasitoa (Ankle)