Mackintosh unleashed on Bulls
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph made three changes to the team to play the Bulls in a Super Rugby Round 14 match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The most significant of those – all among the forwards – is in the front row, where one-time All Black Jamie Mackintosh comes in at loosehead prop and veteran Test player Tony Woodcock dropping down to the replacement bench.
Jarrad Hoeata moves into lock, replacing Josh Bekhuis – who sustained a shoulder injury in the loss to the Southern Kings last weekend.
Joe Wheeler will start on the blindside flank and Mose Tuiali'i will anchor the scrum from No.8.
This moves TJ Ioane to the reserves, joining Elliot Dixon who is also loose forward cover.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Tino Nemani, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Elliot Dixon, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Hayden Parker, 22 Jason Emery.
Date: Saturday, May 18
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 03.05 Sunday, May 19 NZ time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Attie Buitendag (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
