2 weeks Ago
Highlanders lock Mitch Dunshea (centre) makes a welcome return. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Joseph has made two changes to the starting XV from the 43-20 win over the Fijian Drua as the Highlanders set off north to play the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night. Watch ODT Landers Chat: Veneni Lasaqa and Sean Withy One new face in the forwards and one in the backs will seek to contribute to what will be a mighty shock if they can return with a win.
Seasoned lock Mitch Dunshea makes a welcome return to the second row to resume his excellent partnership with boom youngster Fabian Holland. Henry Bell gets a second straight start at hooker, though Soane Vikena is fit enough to return to the bench, while Sefo Kautai remains favoured over Saula Ma’u at tighthead prop. Sean Withy remains suspended for another week and the loose forward trio is unchanged.
TK Howden is fit again to take a place on the bench and provide over for locks and loose forwards. No 8 Nikora Broughton’s return from a knee injury is unclear, so the Highlanders will hope co-captain Hugh Renton can remain fit and firing for the last part of the season. The only change in a backline that has looked so good in patches is in the midfield.
Tanielu Tele’a. Photo: supplied The halfback situation remains a minor head-scratcher. Nathan Hastie was in dynamite form in the first half of the season but misses selection for a second consecutive week with former All Blacks livewire Folau Fakatava back in the No 9 jersey and Adam Lennox, originally a wider squad member, providing spark off the bench.
Cameron Millar earns a second straight start at first five after looking sharp against the Drua. Joseph is resisting the temptation to rest either of his iron men. Tavatavanawai has played 630 minutes of a possible 640 this season, while Holland has played 584 minutes and made 131 tackles, which leads all players in Super Rugby.
The Highlanders broke a four-game losing run with their triumph over the Drua and will at least head to Hamilton with some winning momentum. The Chiefs have made a swag of changes. Shaun Stevenson moves from wing to fullback, Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to first five, Emoni Narawa returns to the wing, and Xavier Roe replaces Cortez Ratima at halfback.
Luke Jacobson moves to No 8 with Simon Parker concussed, Naitoa Ah Kuoi replaces Manaaki Selby-Rickit at lock, and Brodie McAlister and Aidan Ross join the front row. All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returns from injury to make the bench. Highlanders v Chiefs FMG Stadium, Waikato Saturday at 7.
05pm Teams Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Taniela Filimone, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton (co-captain), Veveni Lasaqa, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Sefo Kautai, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, TK Howden, Will Stodart, Adam Lennox, Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen. Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (captain), Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown..
