Another week, another shuffle of the loose forwards for the Highlanders
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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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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