Highlanders Halfback Folau Fakatava ruled out of Force clash – report

Halfback Folau Fakatava has been ruled out of the Highlanders’ round nine clash with the Western Force due to an illness, according to a report out of New Zealand.

As reported by Stuff journalist Paul Cully, the All Black will miss the trans-Tasman derby on Saturday “after failing to make the trip to Australia” earlier this week.

The news comes as another tough blow for the Highlanders, who are also missing Aaron Smith ahead of their crunch clash across the Tasman.

Legendary scrumhalf Aaron Smith has stayed in New Zealand after his father Wayne passed away on Friday.

“It’s probably a good time to recognise him and his family with the passing of his dad” assistant coach Dave Dillon said.

“It’s pretty tough to process at the best of times, so we’re just thinking of them.

“I think you’re all in it together. You feel if it’s important to one person that it’s important to all of you.

“When something like that happens, you reflect on your own experiences and you just offer support and let them know that you’re thinking of them. It’s bigger than the game.”

Following a slow start this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the Highlanders turned their fortunes around in round four with a win over the Force.

The 43-35 result saw the team from the south bring up their first win of the season, and they’ll look to repeat history in a reverse of that fixture this weekend.

Making the long trip to the west coach of Australia, the Highlanders would leapfrog the Queensland Reds into sixth place with a win on Saturday.