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Two injured All Blacks available for Highlanders this weekend
Josh Ioane appears set to finally start a match for the Highlanders wearing the 10 jersey, having spent the last five weeks of Super Rugby Aotearoa out injured.
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The one-cap All Blacks first five was shuffled around the Highlanders backline in the early stages of Super Rugby, playing in the midfield and at fullback, while a groin injury has prevented him from playing any part in the revamped Aotearoa season. Assistant coach Mark Hammett has confirmed he is fit and ready for selection for the side’s trip to Hamilton this weekend, however.
The Highlanders’ other one-cap NZ rep, Dillon Hunt, has also recovered from an eye injury suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Hurricanes – which means the team sitting fourth on the ladder can likely field an almost first-choice starting XV for the first time in months, despite the continued absence of Nehe Milner-Skudder.
“Dillon is back training today and will be available,” Hammett said on Wednesday.
”Josh Ioane, full training today, also available. He was back for a training two weeks ago but re-aggravated [his groin injury], so this was the first [training session] back.”
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Despite Ioane’s journey across the Highlanders backline prior to the COVID-enforced suspension of Super Rugby, Hammett has reiterated that the coaches are now looking at the playmaker primarily as a 10.
“We know that he can play second-five, and he’s played fullback pretty competently as well, but ultimately he’s a number 10,” Hammet said.
That’s not to downplay Mitchell Hunt’s performances, however.
“He’s been really good,” Hammett said of the man who moved south from the Crusaders ahead of the 2020 season. “He’s a warrior really, brave, and always up for the challenge. You don’t see him get flustered very often.
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“He’s a really good leader within our group. There’s only good things to say about Mitch.
Hunt will likely move to fullback, where he was due to start in round one of Super Rugby Aotearoa before Ioane was invalided due to his groin injury.
It’s not all good news for the Highlanders, unfortunately, with reserve scrumhalf Kayne Hammington and utility back Ngatungane Punivai unavailable this weekend.
Hammington fractured his hand in the dying minutes of last weekends’ 17-11 loss and will miss the remainder of the competition, opening the door for the up-and-coming Folau Fakatava to take a spot on the bench. Punivai missed last weekend’s match through concussion and has not yet recovered enough to be available for selection this week.
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The Highlanders were surprise winners in the opening clash of Super Rugby Aotearoa with Bryn Gatland slotting a drop goal in the final seconds of the match to consign the Chiefs to a 28-27 defeat. Their re-match kicks off at 3:35 this Sunday from Waikato Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments