1
All Blacks duo return as Highlanders bench Japan star Kazuki Himeno for Force clash
By Alex McLeod
The Highlanders will welcome back two of their All Blacks stars for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.
Loose forward Shannon Frizell has been named to start at blindside flanker by interim head coach Clarke Dermody after he missed his side's Trans-Tasman opener against the Queensland Reds last Friday due to his alleged involvement in an assault on a woman at a Dunedin bar the week beforehand.
With police investigations ongoing at the time of the team announcement leading into the 40-19 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said the incident was a "distraction" for everyone involved.
That resulted in Frizell being omitted from the side to face the Super Rugby AU champions, but the 13-test All Black, who was one of the franchise's best players in Super Rugby Aotearoa, has reclaimed his place in the starting lineup to face the Force.
Frizell isn't the only high-profile player to come back into Dermody's match day squad, as one-test All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane will play his first match in over a month after being named on the bench.
The 25-year-old hasn't played for the Highlanders since their Super Rugby Aotearoa victory over the Blues in Dunedin five weeks ago after he sprained his ankle while preparing for their following match against the Hurricanes a fortnight later.
That ankle niggle sidelined him from the southerners' thumping of the Reds, but he will be thrust back into action from the reserves bench at HBF Park this weekend.
Together, Frizell and Ioane represent two of just four personnel changes to the Highlanders' match day squad that strolled to victory over Brad Thorn's under-strength Queensland side.
One of the most eye-catching alterations comes in the loose forwards, where Japanese powerhouse Kazuki Himeno has been demoted to the bench.
The 17-test Brave Blossoms international has started at No 8 in each of the Highlanders' last five matches and has quickly become a fan favourite due to his defensive prowess and high work rate.
However, the Super Rugby Aotearoa Rookie of the Year has been dropped to the reserves, as tireless youngster Hugh Renton has been handed a chance at No 8 after impressing from blindside flaker last week.
Elsewhere, two-test All Blacks lock Bryn Evans returns to the starting lineup, where he will partner with the enormous Pari Pari Parkinson in the second row, while Josh Dickson joins Ioane and Himeno as the new faces in the reserves.
Kick-off for Friday's match is scheduled for 5:45pm local time.
Highlanders team to play the Western Force
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Ash Dixon (co-c)
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Bryn Evans
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Billy Harmon
8. Hugh Renton
9. Aaron Smith (co-c)
10. Mitch Hunt
11. Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Sam Gilbert
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ethan de Groot
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Josh Dickson
20. Kazuki Himeno
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Josh Ioane
23. Ngatungane Punivai
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
3
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
4
Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
5
Latest Comments
What’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
Go to commentsNot if you look at where the increases are happening for NZR. Apparently the biggest increase in participation was in the junior ranks and has been attributed to the extra cash that tier has received from the private equity deal NZR signed. Clubs are reducing fees dramatically and thats bringing more into the clubs. Counties club had a 200% increase in enrollments for U7s as they made it free.
Yes NRL is always hanging around schoolboy rugby tho. I see the NRL as more of a threat at SR level where the fringe players are signing for either NRL or Japan etc.
Go to comments