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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
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Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
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