Ex-New Zealand U20 first five named to start in Highlanders’ Drua clash

In-form playmaker Cameron Millar will miss the Highlanders’ final regular season match at home when they take on the Fijian Drua in a decisive clash on Sunday afternoon.

With just two points separating the seventh-placed Highlanders and th eighth-placed Drua on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, both teams will be desperate for a victory this weekend as they look to secure their place in the playoffs.

Former New Zealand U20s first five Ajay Faleafaga will wear the No. 10 jersey at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the absence of Millar and Wales international Rhys Patchell who are both unavailable for the round 14 clash.

“Ajay has played a few games as an emerging 10 this season and he’s fit and ready and really excited to get out on the field for our last home game this weekend,” coach Clarke Dermody said in a statement.

“He’s been working hard with the coaches and Rhys (Patchell) on his ability to control the game and I’m looking forward to seeing that on Sunday.”

The Highlanders have been boosted by the return of co-captain Billy Harmon, as well as exciting outside back Jona Nareki. They will line up at No. 8 and on the wing respectively.

All Black Ethan de Groot will share leadership duties with Harmon. De Groot retains his spot at loosehead prop while Henry Bell and Jermain Ainsley complete the front row trio.

Mitch Dunshea partners Netherlands-born lock Fabian Holland to round out the tight five, while Oliver Haig, Sean Withy and co-captain Harmon are the remaining forwards in the run-on side.

Partnering Falegaga in the halves is All Blacks scrumhalf Folau Fakatava. The pair will look to provide quality ball to an exciting backline that includes centres Sam Gilbert and Jak Te Hiwi.

Nareki will line up on the left wing, with Timoci Tavatavanawai on the right, and of course Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens out the back in the No. 15 jumper.

This match at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium is scheduled to get underway at 2:05 pm NZT on Sunday afternoon.

Highlanders team to take on Fijian Drua

1. Ethan de Groot (cc)
2. Henry Bell
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Mitch Dunshea
5. Fabian Holland
6. Oliver Haig
7. Sean Withy
8. Billy Harmon (cc)
9. Folau Fakatava
10. Ajay Faleafaga
11. Jona Nareki
12. Sam Gilbert
13. Jake Te Hiwi
14. Timoci Tavatavanawai
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements

16. Jack Taylor
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Saula Ma’u
19. Max Hicks
20. Nikora Broughton
21. James Arscott
22. Matt Whaanga
23. Connor Garden-Bachop

Injured/available: Jonah Lowe, Hugh Renton, Rhys Patchell, Josh Timu, Cameron Millar, Tanielu Tele’a, Pari Pari Parkinson