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Aaron Smith returns for Highlanders’ must-win clash
By Finn Morton
Aaron Smith, Sam Gilbert and Jonah Lowe are all back in the Highlanders’ run-on side this week for their must-win clash with the Melbourne Rebels.
The Highlanders are currently second-last on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, but would rise above the 10th placed Rebels with a win on Saturday.
All Black Ethan de Groot will start at loosehead prop again this week, and will pack down in the front row alongside Andrew Makalio and Jermaine Ainsley.
Shannon Frizell and Will Tucker will combine in the second row, while the inclusion of Sean Withy is the sole change in the loose forward trio.
Billy Harmon will captain the team from openside flanker, while the in-form Hugh Renton will line up at the back of the scrum.
The Highlanders’ halves duo boasts some impressive international experience, with Aaron Smith set to combine with former England pivot Freddie Burns.
Sam Gilbert and Fetuli Paea will link up in the midfield, and Jonah Lowe is the only change to the outside backs.
On the bench, replacement Mitch Hunt is set to play his 50th match in Highlanders colours – and his 95th match at Super Rugby level.
The match between the Highlanders and Rebels is set to get underway at 4.35pm NZST on Saturday at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Highlanders team to take on Rebels
- Ethan de Groot
- Andrew Makalio
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Shannon Frizell
- Will Tucker
- Sean Withy
- Billy Harmon (c)
- Hugh Renton
- Aaron Smith
- Freddie Burns
- Jona Nareki
- Sam Gilbert
- Fetuli Paea
- Jonah Lowe
- Connor Garden-Bachop
Replacements:
- Leni Apisai
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Saula Ma’u
- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- James Lentjes
- Folau Fakatava
- Mitch Hunt
- Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Not available: Vili Koroi, Marty Banks, Jeff Thwaites, Josh Timu, Jake Te Hiwi, Cameron Millar, Fabian Holland, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson
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Latest Comments
I think this debate is avoiding the elephant in the room. Money. According to the URC chief executive Martin Anayi, the inclusion of SA teams has doubled the income of the URC. There is no doubt that the SA teams benefit from the URC but so do the other countries' teams. Perhaps it doesn't affect a club like Leinster but the less well off clubs benefit hugely from South African games' TV income. I don't think SA continued inclusion in the URC is a slam dunk. They don't hold all the cards by a long way - but they do have an ace in the hole. The Ace of Diamonds.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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