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All Blacks stars return to starting line up for Highlanders

Aaron Smith. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

The Highlanders will welcome back two of their All Blacks into the starting lineup for their clash against the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Friday.

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Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock have been named to start in the Japanese capital after coming off the bench in last week’s 24-12 win over the Blues in Dunedin.

It will be Smith’s first Super Rugby start since succumbing to an ankle injury against the Blues in Auckland last month, while it will be Whitelock’s first run-on appearance since damaging his calf against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium three weeks ago.

Their returns to the starting side will offset the dropping of in-form All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell, who has been relegated to the bench in place of Whitelock for the first time since the Highlanders’ season-opening win against the Chiefs in February.

Joining him on the pine is one-test openside flanker Dillon Hunt, who is in line to make his first Super Rugby appearance in five weeks.

Hunt appears to have fallen out of favour with Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger in recent weeks, who has preferred James Lentjes in the No. 7 jersey, but this weekend’s clash will provide Hunt with an opportunity to state his case for a starting role as the backend of the season nears.

Experienced midfielder Rob Thompson also returns to the starting side to form a reliable midfield combination with Tei Walden, which pushes young Sio Tomkinson out to the wing, as Matt Faddes shifts to fullback in place of the rested Ben Smith.

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There are minimal changes elsewhere, although former Reds prop Sef Fa’agase could make his long-awaited debut from the bench after replacing rookie Ayden Johnstone from last week’s side.

The match kicks off at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium at 7pm local time.

Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Jackson Hemopo, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Luke Whitelock (c), 7. James Lentjes, 8. Elliot Dixon, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Josh Ioane, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Tei Walden, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Sio Tomkinson, 15. Matt Faddes

Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Josh Dickson, 20. Shannon Frizell, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Dillon Hunt

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Nickers 17 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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