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Highlanders prepare for life without Lima in first preseason hit-out
By Online Editors
The Highlanders are getting set to play their first game of the season in Alexandra on Friday night, where they will be without a few familiar faces.
They will take on the visiting New South Wales Waratahs in their annual preseason fixture at Molyneux Park Stadium. The whole squad will be in attendance, however the All Blacks in the squad will not participate.
All eyes will be on 23-year-old first five-eighths Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland as the pair of young halves battle it out with veteran Marty Banks to earn the No 10 jersey left vacant by longtime Highlander and All Black Lima Sopoaga.
Ioane received the starting nod for Friday's fixture, while Gatland will feature from the bench once the squad rotates.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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