Highlanders strengthened by return of Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai for clash against Blues
Highlanders following their massive win against the Crusaders during last weekend will be playing against the current New Zealand conference leader, Auckland Blues.
Otago Highlanders will be hosting the visitor at Carisbrook on April 29. Highlanders have strengthened their line-up to tackle the Blues challenge.
Highlanders’ last week win over the Crusaders retained their fifth place in the Super XV. Their win also helped Blues to progress to the second position in the Super XV combined table. Highlanders denied Crusaders from securing any point from the match as
both team field their second string players.
Blues although will be without the services of their star Prop Tony Woodcock however the return of the Luke McAlister at Centre position has definitely strengthened their line-up.
For their Crusaders game Highlanders made six changes as some players missed out from injuries while the others getting a well deserved rest. One-week time has enabled the players to recover and freshen up for the remaining games.
Jason Rutledge will start at Hook for the Friday’s encounter after two weeks rest. Jason Rutledge is replacing Mahonri Schwalger. Highlanders flank duo Adam Thomson and Alando Soakai have recovered from haematoma and shoulder injuries respectively, and
take the field in place of Tom Donnelly and John Hardie. Tom Donnelly makes to the bench while John Hardie has been dropped from match 22.
Return of Adam Thompson has resulted in the Jarred Hoeata moving back to his Lock position. James Paterson takes the bench as Kade Poki will take the field as Winger against the Blues. Highlanders have preferred Jimmy Cowan in place of the Aaron Smith for
the Scrum Half position; Aaron Smith will start from the bench.
Robbie Robinson, Tony Brown and Adam Thomson have scored 34, 32 and 30 points so far in the Super XV for the Highlanders and team will be relying on them for scoring. Besides the super rugby match, both teams will also be playing for the Gordon Hunter Memorial
Trophy. Blues will be looking forward to defend the title whoever the upbeat Highlanders with a comparatively strengthened squad, which took the field against the Crusaders, might prove to be a difficult opposition under the circumstances.
Highlanders’ squad for the game includes:
Starting line-up: 1 Jamie Mackintosh (C) 2, Jason Rutledge 3, Chris King 4, Jarrad Hoeata 5, Josh Bekhuis 6, Adam Thomson 7, Alando Soakai 8, Nasi Manu 9, Jimmy Cowan (VC) 10, Tony Brown 11, Siale Piutau 12, Ben Smith 13, Kendrick Lynn 14,
G Kade Poki 15, Robbie Robinson.
Replacements: 16. Mo Schwalger 17, David Te Moana 18, Tom Donnelly 19, Nick Crosswell 20, Aaron Smith 21, Matt Saunders 22, James Paterson.
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