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Highlanders bring All Black in to sure up forwards against in-form Brumbies
By Online Editors
The Highlanders take on the in-form Brumbies at fortress Canberra on Saturday night.
Head coach, Aaron Mauger, has largely stayed with the team from the first-round loss against the Sharks making only three selection changes to the starting fifteen.
In the forwards, All Blacks World Cup tourist Shannon Frizell comes into the starting side with Dillon Hunt dropping to the bench while Jesse Parete replaces an injured Pari Pari Parkinson in the second row. Parete's promotion grants Jack Whetton a place in the matchday 23 for his first game of the 2020 season.
The only change in the backs sees Patelesio Tomkinson come onto the right wing for Tima Fainga'anuku.
On the bench, Counties Manukau and Irish prop, Conan O’Donnell (who came into the squad for the injured Jeff Thwaites), gets an opportunity to impress this week
Mauger is well aware of the challenge his team will face in the capital city.
"[The Brumbies] are a tough team to play in Canberra and have a strong home record over the last few seasons, we are expecting a physical encounter on Saturday," Mauger said.
"We took some positives out of our second-half performance last week, so we now have a good opportunity to build on that this round against the Brumbies.”
Highlanders: Josh McKay, Patelesio Tompkinson, Rob Thompson, Josh Ioane, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, James Lentjes (c), Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Jesse Parete, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Conan O'Donnell, Jack Whetton, Dillon Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Michael Collins, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
- with Highlanders Rugby
Highlanders forwards coach Mark Hammet is looking forward to the challenge of the unbeaten Sharks:
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Latest Comments
Did we?? I don't remember it.
These are just bald assertions without foundation I'm afraid. International coaches don't just pick those styles like sweets from a sweet shop!
In particular you're neglecting the impact of the type of D Felix Jones was trying to introduce, which demanded most of England's training energy at the time.
That meant the attack got relatively little attention in the early stages of the 6N, and they turned the corner by using a turnover based attack v Ireland.
You cannot play an Ireland attack and a Springbok D at the same time, even Leinster are discovering that one!
Go to commentsThe grandparent rule is a joke, it’s one generation too far.
And the residency rule should be extended to 7 years. I have no issue with a youth who moved to a new country and was developed as a player by his adopted country playing for that country after 7 year’s residency. He would still be 25 or younger when eligible and just entering his prime.
Additionally If you play U20 for a national team then that country developed you, paid for your development ,and should capture your international eligibility.
But this will never happen as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would not be competitive if they could not bolster their national teams with Kiwis, South Africans, and Aussies.
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