Highlanders keep losing formula
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders return to their home stadium to play the Melbourne Rebels with a side that has remained largely unchanged over the first three matches.
Jack Whetton is promoted from the bench to take the place of the injured Josh Dickson who left the field with a shoulder injury during last weekend’s 13-33 defeat to Crusaders.
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Daniel Lienert-Brown rotates with Ayden Johnstone in the front row and Teariki Ben-Nicholas, after some impressive performances off the bench, gets his chance in the starting lineup.
In the backs Josh McKay secures the right-wing spot for this week while in the reserves it will be Highlander’s debuts for Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Scott Gregory.
Head Coach Aaron Mauger is excited about the return to Forsyth Barr Stadium, “It’s always good to be at home, the students are back in town and will no doubt bring a lot of colour and energy to the occasion on Friday night, our players will look to draw on that energy and get our game going under the roof.”
Highlanders: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Dillon Hunt, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Scott Gregory
Date: Friday, February 28
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.05 (06.00 GMT, 17.05 AEDT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)
