Jona Nareki and Pari Pari Parkinson fit for action as Highlanders name team for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final
For the first time this season, the Highlanders have named an unchanged lineup and the southerners will enter the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final with an incredibly settled team.
Damaging left wing Jona Nareki and second row enforcer Pari Pari Parkinson both left the field early against the Brumbies last weekend after suffering shoulder knocks and were possible exclusions for the grand final but have been judged fit for the game.
Talismanic leader Ash Dixon - this week named captain of the Maori All Blacks - will play his 100th game for the Highlander on Saturday night at Eden Park.
Both finalists enter the match unbeaten in the Trans-Tasman competition, only separated on the ladder by points differential.
The Highlanders had the wood over the Blues in their last encounter, winning 35-29 in Dunedin in mid-April. The hosts, however, won the last match between the two sides in Auckland and will enter the game as favourites.
Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Bryn Evans, Pari Pari Parkinson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
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Haha and it's OK that you want to dodge and not admit I'm right.
You are kinda right though, the first Irish try that just let England shoot up and went straight in behind rather than being forced back in to find a hole by the blitz.
Go to commentsWell he said he's rarely used there, hence the joke about how many games we have to watch before we actually see him getting used there :p
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