1
All Black Shannon Frizell shifts to lock as Highlanders make mass changes
By Finn Morton
The Highlanders have made nine changes to their starting side as they look to return to winning ways against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.
While they're looking for their first win in more than a month, the Highlanders have decided to rest a couple of their key All Blacks.
Test stars Ethan de Groot and Aaron Smith will not play this weekend, and fullback Sam Gilbert has also been rested after playing more than 700 minutes this season.
Experienced campaigner Daniel Lienert-Brown takes his place in the starting side, and will pack down in the front row alongside hooker Andrew Makalio and prop Saula Ma’u.
All Black Shannon Frizell shifts into the second row, and will line-up alongside Josh Dickson.
James Lentjes is the one other change in the forward pack, with the flanker set to form a backrow trio along with captain Billy Harmon and in-form No. 8 Hugh Renton.
Halfback Folau Fakatava replaces Aaron Smith in the starting side, and will partner former England playmaker Freddie Burns in the halves.
Jona Nareki takes his spot on the left wing, while Connor Garden-Bachop shifts to fullback to replace Sam Gilbert.
Highlanders team to take on Brumbies
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Andrew Makalio
- Saula Ma’u
- Shannon Frizell
- Josh Dickson
- James Lentjes
- Billy Harmon (c)
- Hugh Renton
- Folau Fakatava
- Freddie Burns
- Jona Nareki
- Thomas Umaga-Jensen
- Fetuli Paea
- Scott Gregory
- Connor Garden-Bachop
Replacements:
- Rhys Marshall
- Ayden Johnstone
- Jermaine Ainsley
- Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
- Sean Withy
- James Arscott
- Mitch Hunt
- Jonah Lowe
Not available due to injury: Vili Koroi, Marty Banks, Jeff Thwaites, Josh Timu, Jake Te Hiwi, Cameron Millar, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Martin Bogado
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments