Young Highlanders' chance to shine
Highlanders’ head coach, Jamie Joseph, has named an inexperienced starting XV to play the Brumbies at Queenstown Recreation Ground on Friday.
Seven players in the starting XV will pull on the Highlanders jersey for the first time, namely; Craig Millar, Gareth Evans, Lee Allan, Tom Franklin, Richard Buckman, Winston Stanley and Patrick Osborne.
Stanley returns to New Zealand Super Rugby after playing for the Western Force in Australia, while Millar, Evans, Franklin and Allan will all be making the step up together after having strong seasons playing provincial rugby for Otago in the ITM Cup.
Buckman and Osborne who have both played Super Rugby previously (debuting for Hurricanes and Chiefs respectively), will also run out for the first time in the Highlanders’ strip.
The game will be played as four 20 minute quarters with a five minute drinks break at the first and third quarter and a standard half time break.
Highlanders: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Lee Allan, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Liam Coltman (captain), 1 Craig Miller.
Date: Friday, January 31
Venue: Recreation Ground, Queenstown
Kick-off: 18.00 (05.00 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson
