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Highlanders battle injuries ahead of Crusaders clash

19 days ago

Timoci Tavatavanawai of the Highlanders leads his team from the field ahead of the round six Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on March 22, 2025, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Highlanders have been hit with the loss of two wingers, their prop, and captain Hugh Renton as they prepare to host the Crusaders in Dunedin.

Chasing back-to-back wins over the Crusaders for the first time since 2016 after beating them last year, the Highlanders will be under siege a mid-season health worries abate.

All Black bolter candidate Caleb Tangitau has been ruled out, along with Jona Nareki, which means Jonah Lowe will get a rare start on the left wing with Timoci Tavatavanawai starting on the right.

Sean Withy returns from suspension to start at openside but with captain Hugh Renton sidelined, Will Stodart has been moved to No.8 as cover. Ex-Hurricanes blindside TK Howden forms the loose trio.

In the midfield Jake Te Hiwi starts with Thomas Umaga-Jensen there is a potential debut for former New Zealand U20 centre Josh Whaanga who has been named on the bench.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Highlanders v Crusaders – 7.05pm Saturday 26th April, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

1. Ethan de Groot (cc)
2. Soane Vikena
3. Saula Ma’u
4. Mitch Dunshea
5. Fabian Holland
6. Te Kamaka Howden
7. Sean Withy
8. Will Stodart
9. Folau Fakatava
10. Cameron Millar
11. Jonah Lowe
12. Jake Te Hiwi
13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
14. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc)
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Reserves
16. Jack Taylor
17. Josh Bartlett
18. Sosefo Kautai
19. Oliver Haig
20. Veveni Lasaqa
21. Nathan Hastie
22. Sam Gilbert
23. Josh Whaanga (Potential Debut)

Injury update:

Caleb Tangitau (Groin / 1-2 weeks), Tanielu Tele’a (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks), Jona Nareki (Knee/ 1-2 weeks), Daniel Lienert-Brown (Foot / 1-2 weeks), Nikora Broughton (Knee / MCL 5-7 weeks), Finn Hurley (Quad / Season), Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / Season), Ajay Faleafaga (Hand / Season), James Arscott (Shoulder / TBC)

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Comments

5 Comments

GM 18 days ago

Is anyone else worried that Holland is playing so many minutes? He’s still a young guy but because of injuries and JJ’s short-sightedness (his comment at the beginning of the season that he was comfortable with 6’ 1inch locks) he’s being ground down. I’m not suggesting his standards have slipped - far from it - and he ‘s got a huge ticker but he’s having to carry too much week after week in that Landers pack. If he’d been in the ABs last year instead of an AB XV, JJ would be forced to have a bit more regard for how much he’s asking of the guy.

JW 19 days ago

Hopefully the young fella in midfield goes as well as it’s a tough one to get chucked into!

Good to see Hastie back, the other guy they tried giving a go is just no where near SR standard at this stage (you have to see him getting the chop for Pledger next season).

Cantab 18 days ago

Highlanders appear to be on a hiding to nothing as they don’t have the depth of players that the Crusaders are able to call on. Lack of depth hurt the Highlanders in their last match.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Carlos 21 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

32 Go to comments

Carlos 22 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

32 Go to comments

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 30 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

32 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 34 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

32 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 37 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

32 Go to comments

BC 41 minutes ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 42 minutes ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

They will prob want him for the Lions and maybe sacrifice the Novemeber tour window in order to do so. You could add that Skelton is prob more important to the WB cause than any of the French based to the Lions?

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

😁

32 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Brought up on the exploits of the Pooler front row, so cannot disagree!

32 Go to comments

PR 1 hour ago

As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

Depends on gameplan and conditions. LBB and Penaud behind a retreating pack won’t be as effective. True, Lowe is not the fastest, but almost unstoppable close to the line, has a booming boot for exists and, like most Kiwi backs, reads the game extremely well. If my team was being dragged into the gutters on a rainy night, I would easily pick Lowe over LBB and Penaud. If my backline had constent front-foot ball then, sure, LBB and Penaud. If Kolbe and KLA wasn’t available of course.

196 Go to comments

GS 1 hour ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Will LAR be prepared to release him to the Wallabies outside the international window?

Interesting that Blair Kinghorn is the only player selected for the Lions playing in France, which gives some idea of the difficulty in introducing a player into the squad, whilst training and some games have/are been played.

32 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

Hmmmm Kolbe I can go with but Lowe ahead of LBB or Penaud? Nah, you’ve lost me on that one. A coach like Joe Schmidt will have a plan to stitch up Lowe like a kipper, faster oil tankers out there these days!

196 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

Yes, I struggle to have an opinion as you can see…🤣

196 Go to comments

frandinand 2 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

I'm constantly amazed at the negative comments both on here and more so at the other place re Skelton.