Noakes pivotal to Highlanders' cause
Chris Noakes have been entrusted with the pivotal No.10 jersey for the Highlanders, when they tackle the Rebels in a Super Rugby encounter in Invercargill on Friday.
Noakes comes in for World Cup All Black Colin Slade, who suffered a serious leg injury against the Brumbies last week and will be sidelined for up to 12 months after undergoing surgery in a Canberra hospital.
Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph has made five changes to his injury depleted team.
Jason Rutledge starts at hooker in place of All Black veteran Andrew Hore, who is out this week with a calf strain.
Also joining them on the sidelines are loose forward John Hardie, whose broken toe has ruled him out of the season, and lock Nick Crosswell (knee).
These setbacks come on top of the injuries to Lima Sopoaga (fractured scapula), Kenny Lynn (fractured neck), Siale Piutau (broken ankle) and wing Telusa Veainu (concussion).
Jarrad Hoeata makes a welcome return from a pectoral muscle injury suffered in pre-season and All Black loose forward Adam Thomson also makes a return to the starting pack after he missed the Brumbies game with a neck complaint .
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Ma’afu Fia, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Doug Tietjens, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Phil Burleigh, 22 Buxton Popoali’i.
Date: Friday, March 30
Venue: Rugby Park, Invercargill
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEDT; 06.35 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Lourens van der Merwe* (South Africa)
TMO: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
