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Another week, another shuffle of the loose forwards for the Highlanders
By Online Editors
The Highlanders have named their side to take on the Crusaders for this Friday's match.
The two teams were due to face off earlier in the season but the match was called off and treated as a draw after the Christchurch shootings.
Unsurprisingly, young Otago first-five Josh Ioane has been recalled at 10 after Marty Banks' injury.
Equally as unsurprisingly, coach Aaron Mauger has again shuffled his loose forward trio with Elliot Dixon coming in for the rested Luke Whitelock. No combination of loose forwards has started more than two matches this season for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders are now on a four-match losing streak and will soon find the finals out of reach if their season doesn't take a sharp turn upwards in the next few weeks.
Friday will mark captain Ben Smith's 150th Super Rugby match.
Highlanders team: Ben Smith (c), Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Colman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Folau Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Patelesio Tomkinson.
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The Top 14 isn't profitable. Google "Toulon rugby deficits" and read the rugbyrama article from 24 July 2024. Lots of clubs losing money.
Go to commentsWe can all see this problem, eh? Love the clips showing how smart opposition coaches exploit it though. Thanks, Nick.
Borthwick has obviously earned the right to expect people to look elsewhere when the sort of personal problems likely at the heart of Jones' departure occur but it's hard to believe he's, if not entirely to blame, at least most of the problem.
England seem between choices in every aspect of their play to me right now
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