Highlanders reveal their hand for Crusaders clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has named a 24-man squad for a pre-season match against the Crusaders at the Southbridge Rugby Club on Friday.
Despite being without a few All Blacks, Mauger has still been able to select a strong Highlanders team for the match.
The team will be led by All Black No.8 Luke Whitelock.
The match will be the Highlanders last hit-out before they face the Chiefs in their opening Super Rugby match in Hamilton on Friday, February 15.
Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Luke Whitelock (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Maanaki Selby-Rickett, 20 Dillon Hunt, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Teihorangi Walden, 24 Jack Whetton.
Date: Friday, February 8
Venue: Southbridge Rugby Club, Southbridge
Kick-off: 18.00 (05.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown, James Munro
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