1
Highlanders bolster forward pack for Blues while ex-NZ U20 first five gets debut
By Ben Smith
The Highlanders have made three changes to their starting side, all up front in the forward pack, as they prepare to face the Blues in Melbourne in Super round.
Bolstering the tight five is All Black prop Ethan de Groot and veteran Jermaine Ainsley, who start alongside Henry Bell up front. Last week's try-scoring tighthead Saula Ma'u and Dan Lienert-Brown move to the bench.
In the second row, Max Hicks has been named to start with Pari Pari Parkinson while Fabian Holland moves to the bench as lock cover.
The back row of Sean Withy, Billy Harmon and Hugh Renton remains unchanged with bench cover from Nikora Broughton.
Unsurprisingly, there are no changes to last week's backline that lit up Forsyth Barr with a scintillating performance.
Folau Fakatava partners Rhys Patchell in the halves, Sam Gilbert continues his move to No 12 alongside ex-Blues centre Tanielu Tele’a, while the back three is Jona Nareki, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Replacing Cam Miller on the bench is last year's New Zealand U20 first five-eighth Ajay Faleafaga who will deputise for Welsh international Patchell.
"I'm pleased with the strides the team has made, but there's always room for growth. We’re aiming to build on our performance from round one and meet the challenge in Melbourne," head coach Clarke Dermody said.
Highlanders team to play Blues
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Henry Bell
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Max Hicks
6. Sean Withy
7. Billy Harmon (C)
8. Hugh Renton
9. Folau Fakatava
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Jona Nareki
12. Sam Gilbert (VC)
13. Tanielu Tele’a
14. Timoci Tavatavanawai
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Reserves
16. Ricky Jackson
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Saula Ma’u
19. Fabian Holland
20. Nikora Broughton
21. Nathan Hastie
22. Ajay Faleafaga*
23. Jonah Lowe
*Super Rugby Pacific debut
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Leinster lining up Springbok to replace Jordie Barrett
3
Lawes' bold Lions statement after Farrell breathes new life into hopes
4
The impact Townsend will have on Lions despite missing Farrell's team
5
Latest Comments
I was drawn into investing by an FX trader I met on Instagram who promised exceptional returns. Enthusiastic about the opportunity, I invested a total of $73,000 over five weeks. However, whenever I tried to withdraw my earnings, they kept inventing excuses related to additional fees and taxes. Frustrated and feeling trapped, I eventually realized I had been scammed. During my search for help, I found a post about BOTNET CRYPTO RECOVERY, a company specializing in recovering lost funds from fraudulent schemes. Initially hesitant, I took the chance and contacted them. After sharing my transaction details, I was surprised to receive $73,000 back into my wallet within just seven hours. I’m incredibly grateful to BOTNET CRYPTO RECOVERY for their professional and effective service. If you’re in a similar situation, I highly recommend reaching out to them for help.
Contact them with the information below.
( botnet crypto recovery @ groupmail . c o m )
webssite on - www.botcryptorecovery.com
Go to commentsNo full games on the IRU YT channel unfortunately, all on subscription? Looks a fairly good level (1A).
Yes I mean I wouldn’t really know the local ratio of origin here, but certainly as a province with less resources mine has a ratio that veers heavily towards club rep. The club stories are often the best so get probably an imbalanced proportion of coverage to where most players actually come from though.
Those were a couple of Ulster (regional) clubs too, good good. Those clubs/size towns are very much where you find most talent coming from (compared to the big city), so your productivity depends very much on your systems in place for scouting talent. With the more wealthy and popular sport of NRL (hence more info out there) I’ve seen some interesting studies on player origins in this respect, which I think would be a very balanced base of data to draw conclusions from.
Yes I’m wondering how those names as examples compare to the likes of Bryne getting squeezed out for a lack of places. I’m only thinking of effects far down the line as a result of Irelands #1 ranking and increased publicity/interest and how Irelands system will take advantage of them.
Go to comments