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21-year-old first five handed maiden start with Highlanders

Ajay Faleafaga of the Highlanders passes the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific Pre-Season match between Highlanders and Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 10, 2024 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Fly-half Ajay Faleafaga will start at Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time on Saturday when the Highlanders take on the fifth-placed Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.

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The Highlanders will fly out of Dunedin tomorrow ahead of a two-game tour across the ditch in Australia. After playing the Rebels, the Landers will also take on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

After a disappointing 47-12 loss to the still-undefeated Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium late last month, the Highlanders will be desperate to bounce back when they return from their bye week.

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“We were disappointed with how we finished before the bye,” head coach Clarke Dermody said in a statement.

“However, we know what we need to do as a team to improve our standing. These net four games are crucial for our season, and both the playing and coaching team are ready to meet the challenge.”

21-year-old playmaker Ajay Faleafaga will start in the halves along with All Black Folau Fakatava, and there are another two players on the bench in line to debut.

Faleafaga made a try-scoring debut for the Highlanders in their round two loss to the Blues in Dunedin, and has gone on to feature another four times off the pine.

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“We’ve been impressed by Ajay’s performances off the bench so far and he has earned his chance to direct the team against the Rebels this weekend,” Dermody added.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
2
Average Points scored
30
29
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
80%

“Both of our potential debutants, Will and Hugo, have been diligent in their training and shown potential in their performances with the Bravehearts and I know they are both excited at the prospect of debuting for the Highlanders

Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell and Saula Ma’u make up the front row, while Oliver Haig will start in the No. 4 jersey ahead of Fabian Holland who has been ruled out due to HIA protocols.

Pari Pari Parkinson is the other lock. Sean Withy, captain Billy Harmon and Nikora Broughton will form a formidable loose forward trio as the Highlanders look to return to winning ways.

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Outside of the previously mentioned halves pairing, vice-captain Sam Gilbert will combine with the ever-reliable Jonah Lowe in the midfield.

The All-Star outside backs combination of Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will get another run this week.

Youngsters Hugo Plummer and Will Stodart are the two potential debutants on the bench.

This match is scheduled to get underway at 9:35 pm NZT on Saturday evening at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

Highlanders team to take on Rebels

  1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
  2. Henry Bell
  3. Saula Ma’u
  4. Oliver Haig
  5. Pari Pari Parkinson
  6. Sean Withy
  7. Billy Harmon (c)
  8. Nikora Broughton
  9. Folau Fakatava
  10. Ajay Faleafaga
  11. Jona Nareki
  12. Sam Gilbert (vc)
  13. Jonah Lowe
  14. Timoci Tavatavanawai
  15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements

  1. Ricky Jacobson
  2. Ethan de Groot
  3. Rohan Wingham
  4. Hugo Plummer*
  5. Will Stodart*
  6. James Arscott
  7. Matt Whaanga
  8. Connor Garden-Bachop

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Holland (HIA), Tom Sanders (HIA), Hugh Renton (ankle), Jermaine Ainsely (back), Nathan Hastie (shoulder)

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H
Hellhound 25 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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