Nareki returns from injury for the Highlanders

Nareki returns from injury for the Highlanders

By Vijay Narayan
Wednesday 31/03/2021
Jona Nareki is being given every opportunity to face the Hurricanes despite carrying a hip injury.

Blockbusting wing, Jona Nareki has been named in the starting lineup for the Highlanders as they take on the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa on Friday night.

Nareki returns from injury to the left wing.

A season ending injury to winger Freedom Vahaakolo has forced a reshuffle to the back three for the Highlanders. Vahaakolo, who sustained the injury at training, will be replaced by Scott Gregory playing his first game of the season.

Connor Garden-Bachop will get his second start at fullback.

Thomas Umaga-Jensen has earned a start and will partner the experienced Michael Collins in the midfield and Folau Fakatava rotates with Aaron Smith at halfback.

Caleb Makene provides cover in the reserves for first-five and fullback and will play his debut for the club should he take the field.

Following a cameo off the bench last week Japanese World Cup player, Kazuki Himeno, will start at number eight.

The Crusaders will take on the Highlanders at 6.05pm Friday in Christchurch.

1. Ethan De Groot  2. Ash Dixon (cc)  3. Siate Tokolahi

4. Bryn Evans  5. Paripari Parkinson  6. Shannon Frizell

7. Billy Harmon  8. Kazuki Himeno  9. Folau Fakatava

10. Mitch Hunt  11. Jona Nareki  12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen

13. Michael Collins 14. Scott Gregory 15. Connor Garden-Bachop

Reserves

16. Liam Coltman  17. Ayden Johnstone  18. Josh Hohneck  19. Josh Dickson 20. Hugh Renton 21. Aaron Smith (cc) 22. Caleb Makene (Debut) 23. James Lentjes

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
$304.4M in concessional loans and grants secured for four bridges
$304.4 million in funding has been secured in concessional loans and grants for four bridges that have been identified under the Fiji - Critical Bridg...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Kalesi Volatabu selected as one of 17 Indigenous changemakers for the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program
Drug Free World Fiji founder, Kalesi Volatabu has been selected as one of 17 Indigenous and Pacific changemakers for the 2025 cohort which is part of ...
4 minutes ago

Disconnection between the Vanua, businesses and the provincial councils – GCC Chair
There is a missing link between businesses and the provincial councils, and today, the Great Council of Chiefs will discuss those missing links and ...
27 minutes ago

Two passengers still admitted with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital
Two passengers remain hospitalized with serious injuries at Lautoka Hospital after a Goundar Shipping bus collided with a 4x4 vehicle at Vitogo, ...
1 hour ago

Bail denied for alleged wife killer Apisai Madigibuli
27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli's bail has been denied in the matter where he is alleged to have murdered his 25-year-old wife in April this ...
2 hours ago

Issuance of official passports to be amended
Cabinet has agreed to amend the issuance of official passports for senior categories of officials for official purposes and for the duration of their ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
6 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
6 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
7 days ago

TOP