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Sopoaga cleared for Brumbies clash
By Online Editors
After a week off, Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has named a largely unchanged side to play the Brumbies on Saturday.
Lima Sopoaga notably retains the No. 10 jersey, after he hobbled off with what looked like a serious non-contact injury during his side's week seven loss to the Chiefs.
Teihorangi Walden and Rob Thompson will line up outside Sopoaga, pushing Matt Faddes back to the bench.
Hooker Liam Coltman makes his return from injury, and 36-year-old Alex Ainley joins the 23 for the first time this season.
Industrious loose forward Shannon Frizell earns his first start at blindside flanker.
“Fair to say we have a good perspective of where we are at the moment as a team and over the last few weeks, we have taken some good learnings from our matches," said Mauger.
"The guys have come back fresh from the break and have trained well. Our training focus this week has been on using those recent learnings to solve a few issues that will allow us to perform come the weekend.”
HIGHLANDERS
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Jackson Hemopo, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dillon Hunt, 8. Luke Whitelock, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Teihorangi Walden, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Ben Smith (C).
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon (C), 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Kalolo Tuiloma, 19. Alex Ainley, 20. Elliot Dixon, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Matt Faddes.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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