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The Highlanders begin new chapter with team named for season opener
By Ned Lester
The Highlanders have named a big tight five for their opening game of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season against Moana Pasifika, despite the absence of their lone 2023 All Black Ethan de Groot.
Daniel Lienert-Brown will start at loosehead prop in de Groot's place, partnering with the 140kg Saula Ma'u.
Young Fabian Holland will lend his 2.04-metre frame to the Highlanders' line-outs, a sign of things to come from the team as they filter in talent from their recently established high-performance program.
Captain Billy Harmon lines up in his familiar No.7 jersey while the Folau Fakatava will look to continue his electric pre-season form at halfback.
Welsh import gets the nod at first five-eighth, with young playmaker Cam Millar landing a bench role for the contest.
The new-look backline continues in the midfield with Tanielu Tele'a lining up at centre while in the outsides, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens begin what promises to be huge campaigns with a start in their respective Highlanders debuts.
“There is all always a lot of anticipation around the first game of the season, naturally as a team we are keen to put on a good performance for our people. It’s an opportunity to inspire our fans and we are pretty determined to take it.” said coach Clarke Dermody of the home game.
Highlanders team to face Moana Pasifika:
- Daniel Lienert-Brown
- Henry Bell
- Saula Ma'u
- Pari Pari Parkinson
- Fabian Holland
- Sean Withy
- Billy Harmon (c)
- Hugh Renton
- Folau Fakatava
- Rhys Patchell
- Jona Nareki
- Sam Gilbert
- Tanielu Tele'a
- Timoci Tavatavanawai
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe
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The hell with this constant regurgitation of what this pretty boy is doing. For all I care he might as well be doing a Jamie Oliver cooking course. Rugby is not a progression toward the NFL, which, given its prominence in your reporting, you appear to regard as the ultimate contact sport. It has virtually nothing to do with rugby, and forever may that remain the case. I know that if I don’t like it I don’t have to read it, but I’m sick of seeing this dishwater-dull nonsense.
Go to commentsGuys Eben did not mean it in a ugly way as it’s just a feeling he had. We Safas rate the All Blacks and no Bok player wants to play NZ in a Knockout game
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