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Aaron Smith returns for Highlanders’ must-win clash

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Aaron Smith, Sam Gilbert and Jonah Lowe are all back in the Highlanders’ run-on side this week for their must-win clash with the Melbourne Rebels.

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The Highlanders are currently second-last on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, but would rise above the 10th placed Rebels with a win on Saturday.

All Black Ethan de Groot will start at loosehead prop again this week, and will pack down in the front row alongside Andrew Makalio and Jermaine Ainsley.

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Shannon Frizell and Will Tucker will combine in the second row, while the inclusion of Sean Withy is the sole change in the loose forward trio.

Billy Harmon will captain the team from openside flanker, while the in-form Hugh Renton will line up at the back of the scrum.

The Highlanders’ halves duo boasts some impressive international experience, with Aaron Smith set to combine with former England pivot Freddie Burns.

Sam Gilbert and Fetuli Paea will link up in the midfield, and Jonah Lowe is the only change to the outside backs.

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On the bench, replacement Mitch Hunt is set to play his 50th match in Highlanders colours – and his 95th match at Super Rugby level.

The match between the Highlanders and Rebels is set to get underway at 4.35pm NZST on Saturday at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Highlanders team to take on Rebels

  1. Ethan de Groot
  2. Andrew Makalio
  3. Jermaine Ainsley
  4. Shannon Frizell
  5. Will Tucker
  6. Sean Withy
  7. Billy Harmon (c)
  8. Hugh Renton
  9. Aaron Smith
  10. Freddie Burns
  11. Jona Nareki
  12. Sam Gilbert
  13. Fetuli Paea
  14. Jonah Lowe
  15. Connor Garden-Bachop

Replacements:

  1. Leni Apisai
  2. Daniel Lienert-Brown
  3. Saula Ma’u
  4. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
  5. James Lentjes
  6. Folau Fakatava
  7. Mitch Hunt
  8. Thomas Umaga-Jensen

Not available: Vili Koroi, Marty Banks, Jeff Thwaites, Josh Timu, Jake Te Hiwi, Cameron Millar, Fabian Holland, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson

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C
CO 25 minutes ago
Scott Robertson's disappointing Ruben Love decision

Will Jordan is as good as any fullback in the world and at six foot two is backed up by younger, larger talent at fullback like Sullivan and Spencer. Ruben Love is a slightly larger but less eccentric version of McKenzie at this stage in his development.


McKenzie, he's like a wildly energetic dog that doesn't stop being a pup until the age of six.


McKenzie is no longer the young pup, he's entering his best years as a ten, he's been a test player for nine years and that's really starting to produce under Razor.


NZ sometimes pigeon holes players early and can be blind to the McKenzie late bloomers, McKenzie is a loyal, passionate Allblack and it's only because of a double world player of the year that he's not starting at ten each time for the Allblacks.


For those that get to meet McKenzie he's a relaxed, friendly, courteous and composed person and he is looking likely to peak as a ten at RWC.


However, McKenzie isn't really the guy we need to replace and Love is the nearest thing NZ has as a younger model. Instead NZ needs to be looking for a guy with the size and height of Beauden, Pollard, Farrell, Larkham, Sexton.


Carter was a freak at ten and McKenzies also really special but the games now dominated by first fives that are noticeably over six foot. A smaller guy needs to be freakishly talented.


Love is a handy player that plays well at both fullback and ten, he's got a really good mindset and a superb footballer like McKenzie but I'm a crowded fullback field that still has Jordie Barret around to fill in, Love needs to spend a lot more time at ten, a position that NZ is struggling with for world class depth.


As for Naitoa, he needs a run at six, he's a lock that's really better suited to six.


The French are a handful and the Allblacks can really build a strong year by winning the third test, once the games under control then Love should be swapped with McKenzie to have his chance at ten.

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