Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger makes a lot of changes for his side to face the Rebels

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger makes a lot of changes for his side to face the Rebels

By Apenisa Waqairadovu
Thursday 12/07/2018
Highlanders first five eighth Lima Sopoaga (centre) kicks off the match against the Chiefs

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has made a lot of changes for his side for their final regular season match against the Rebels this Saturday.

All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock are all sitting the match out, as per the agreement between the All Blacks and the Super Rugby franchises, while centre Rob Thompson is also missing from the team list.

Loose forward Elliot Dixon and hooker Ash Dixon are also taking the week off, leaving openside flanker James Lentjes to captain the team.

Liam Squire will move from the blindside flank to start at No 8, making room for All Blacks Shannon Frizell to make his fourth Super Rugby start this year.

Josh Ioane the team's second‑choice first‑five behind Lima Sopoaga, will start at fullback.

The Highlanders head into the final week of the regular season in sixth place, and only a win against the Rebels and an equally huge win by the Hurricanes over the Chiefs, would see them finish fifth.

Regardless, the Highlanders will be on the road next weekend, most likely in Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, or Sydney.

The Rebels take on the Highlanders at 5.15pm on Saturday.

Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Thomas Umaga‑Jensen, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Liam Squire, James Lentjes (captain), Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Alex Ainley, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Aki Seuili. Reserves: Greg Pleasants‑Tate, Daniel Lienert‑Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Tom Franklin, Dillon Hunt, Josh Renton, Matt Faddes, Josh McKay.

[Source:Stuff.co.nz]

SPONSORED
TFL X Plan Pacific Energy

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Fiji exports to the US like Fiji Water, kava, dalo and turmeric to be hit hard with increase in the 32% tariffs
Fiji exports to the United States of America like Fiji Water, kava, dalo and turmeric will be hit hard with the increase in the 32 percent tariffs by ...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Health Ministry pushes for inclusive menstrual and menopause awareness
While the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement emphasized the need to educate the public on the challenges women face due to menopause, the Head of Family ...
34 minutes ago

Kamikamica to push for reduction of US tariff on Fijian exports
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica says the 32 percent tariff imposed on Fijian exports to the United States is too high ...
1 hour ago

Fijian music legends pay tribute to iconic VITIFM personality Maikeli Radua
A group of Fiji’s renowned local artists led by Vude King and Queen, Seru Serevi and Laisa Vulakoro, presented their i-reguregu to the family ...
1 hour ago

Bus accident in Colo-i-Suva
A bus went off Princes Road in Colo-i-Suva this afternoon. fijivillage News has received information that the bus overturned and is lying on one ...
1 hour ago

Waibasaga Villagers take action to build lifesaving bridge
The people of Waibasaga Village in Naitasiri will no longer wait for government’s assistance to build a new bridge after enduring the terrifying ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
8 hours ago

Reverend Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Watch the General Secretary of Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, Reverend Simione Tugi on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
35 days ago

fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan and William Parkinson
Chairman of Communications Fiji Limited, parent company of FM96, LegendFM, VitiFM, Navtarang, Radio Sargam, fijivillage and PNGFM, William Parkinson ...
36 days ago

TOP