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Highlanders makes surprise midfield selection as Josh Ioane returns to the fold for Chiefs rematch

Scott Gregory. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Despite putting out their best performance of the year against the Crusaders last weekend, Tony Brown has made significant changes to the Highlanders for their rematch with the Chiefs.

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Brown has regularly tinkered with his side through this year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, making seven changes on average from week to week.

He’s technically bucked the trend slightly for Saturday’s match with the Chiefs, making just six swaps.

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All Blacks Dane Coles, Sevu Reece, Shannon Frizell, and Scott Barrett share their favourite drills, what other position they want to play and what their number one tip is for young rugby players. Brought to you by Healthspan Elite.

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All Blacks Dane Coles, Sevu Reece, Shannon Frizell, and Scott Barrett share their favourite drills, what other position they want to play and what their number one tip is for young rugby players. Brought to you by Healthspan Elite.

In the forwards, Josh Hohneck rotates with Siate Tokolahi – who’d started every match this season to date – and James Lentjes comes in for former Crusader Billy Harmon.

Japan international Kazuki Himeno maintains his spot at number eight after an energetic performance against the Crusaders. The evergreen Bryn Evans will lock the scrum with Pari Pari Parkinson and Hugh Renton will again be the sixth forward on the reserves bench.

In the backs, Aaron Smith will co-captain the side and his back up at halfback will be Kayne Hammington who replaces the unlucky Folau Fakatava, who’s set to spend the remainder of the year on the sidelines following a major ACL injury suffered in last weekend’s win.

Outside back Scott Gregory, who had perhaps his best performance in a Highlanders jersey last week, will move to the midfield to replace the injured Thomas Umaga-Jensen and he will be partnered by Patelesio Tomkinson at centre.

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Ngatugnane Punivai, meanwhile, is over his hamstring issue and takes his place on the right wing.

Josh Ioane, one of six players who were unavailable for selection last weekend following a breach of team protocol, returns to the reserves. Tomkinson is the only other player from that sextet who has returned to the fold to face the Crusaders.

The Highlanders scored a significant 39-23 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton earlier this season despite being down by 19 points late in the first half.

Playing under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday, the ball will undoubtedly be given plenty of air as the home side look for their third win of the competition.

Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai, Patelesio Tomkinson, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Kazuki Himeno, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Billy Harmon, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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