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Highlanders hint at potential Nehe Milner-Skudder injury return date

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Nehe Milner-Skudder could be set for his Highlanders debut in a matter of weeks.

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That’s the verdict from head coach Aaron Mauger, who said that the former All Blacks wing could be available for the side’s round eight Suepr Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Blues in Dunedin.

A troublesome shoulder injury has kept Milner-Skudder sidelined since November 2018, but a return to full contact training provides a beacon of hope for the 2015 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 2

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“Nehe was taking a couple of full shots with Josh Iosefa -Scott, the biggest man in our team, on Wednesday and getting through some work there,” Mauger told media on Friday.

“He was handling those collisions pretty well.

“I’m not sure about next week, but I think he’ll be targeting after the bye.”

The Highlanders will enjoy a bye week after next week’s away clash with the Chiefs, with a home bout against the currently undefeated Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium next up on their schedule the following week.

That isn’t the only news that should excite Highlanders fans, as All Blacks first-five Josh Ioane is expected to be free for selection against the Chiefs after a niggling groin injury has kept him sidelined throughout the entire Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign.

“Josh is hopefully available next week. Both guys are pretty close,” Mauger said.

The return of both Milner-Skudder and Ioane will be a significant boost for the southern club, which has shown much improvement since their return to action following the COVID-19 lockdown.

A first-up win over the Chiefs has been followed by tightly-contested losses to the Blues and Crusaders, but Mauger’s side will be confident leading into their upcoming encounter with the Hurricanes on Sunday.

The Wellington franchise won their first match of the domestic league last week against the Chiefs, with the return of Jordie Barrett a key factor in their success.

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His long-range goal-kicking was a notable threat, and Highlanders assistant coach Riki Flutey noted earlier in the week that his team will need to be vigilant around the breakdown in order to eliminate that aspect of Barrett’s game.

“we’ve been working really closely with all the refs in terms of all the laws around the breakdown,” Flutey said.

“We’re really happy with where we’re at in that area. We want to be focusing on looking for those turnover opportunities if they’re presented to us, so we’re really happy with where our defence is going at the moment.

“We’ve got the ability to defend long periods of phases. The Hurricanes have a lot of attacking threats throughout the field, and if we stay connected, we won’t give them much.”

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R
RedWarrior 31 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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