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Highlanders welcome back a handful of familiar faces for Force
By Ned Lester
Highlanders coach Clark Dermody is eager for a response from his team following a goose-egg performance against the Reds in round nine, so will be pleased to welcome a number of players back to full health this week.
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Lock Mitch Dunshea is set for his Highlanders debut having joined the team from the Crusaders over the offseason and recovering from his 2023 Achilles injury. He’ll partner young Fabian Holland in the second row.
The loose-forward trio of Oliver Haig, Sean Withy and captain Billy Harmon is retained for the contest, but No. 8 Hugh Renton will make his return from injury off the bench.
Welsh first five-eighth Rhys Patchell returns to the No. 10 jersey, moving Cam Millar to the bench. Jake Te Hiwi lines up outside Patchell in the No. 12 jersey for the contest, stepping in for the rested Sam Gilbert.
Connor Garden-Bachop shifts to the left wing to make way for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens at fullback to complete the changes in the squad.
“We’re working hard to take the learnings from each of our matches forward to the next game. We have focussed on getting our fundamentals right, ensuring our set-piece is sound and our collective mindset on track,” said Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody.
Highlanders team to face the Western Force
- Ethan de Groot
- Henry Bell
- Saula Ma’u
- Mitch Dunshea
- Fabian Holland
- Oliver Haig
- Sean Withy
- Billy Harmon (C)
- Folau Fakatava
- Rhys Patchell
- Connor Garden-Bachop
- Jake Te Hiwi
- Tanielu Tele’a
- Timoci Tavatavanawai
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES
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16. Jack Taylor
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Will Tucker
20. Hugh Renton
21. James Arscott
22. Cameron Millar
23. Martín Bogado
