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Josh Ioane returns to Highlanders starting side as ex-captain set to bring up 50th appearance

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

One-test All Blacks star Josh Ioane has been recalled into the Highlanders’ starting XV to play the Melbourne Rebels at Leichardt Oval in Sydney on Sunday.

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Ioane had been riddled with injury since the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa, but was named to start off the bench in last week’s victory over the Western Force in Perth.

However, the 25-year-old was thrust into the starting lineup at fullback at late notice after Sam Gilbert was omitted due to a hamstring injury that has again kept him sidelined this week.

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The selection of Ioane at fullback represents one of five changes to the starting team ahead of the hastily rearranged fixture, which saw it relocated from Queenstown to Sydney amid a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne.

The other four changes all come in the forward pack, with loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and hooker Liam Coltman the fresh faces in the front row.

Experienced campaigner Josh Dickson returns to second row in place of seasoned veteran Bryn Evans, while former Highlanders captain James Lentjes starts at openside flanker in celebration of his 50th appearance for the franchise.

Lentjes has been a mainstay in the Highlanders squad since his debut in their title-winning 2015 season and was appointed captain for their 2020 season before a horror ankle and lower leg injury kept him out of the game for almost an entire year.

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The 30-year-old has since struggled to hold down a regular starting spot upon the arrival of Billy Harmon from the Crusaders, but reaching this milestone is good reward for one of the Highlanders’ less-heralded stars.

Last week’s starters Harmon, co-captain Ash Dixon and promising prop Ayden Johnstone have been demoted to the bench to join lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit as the new faces on the bench.

Kick-off for Sunday’s clash between the Highlanders and Rebels is scheduled for 3pm local time [5pm NZT].

Highlanders team to face Melbourne Rebels

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Liam Coltman
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Josh Dickson
6. Shannon Frizell
7. James Lentjes
8. Hugh Renton
9. Aaron Smith (co-c)
10. Mitch Hunt
11. Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Josh Ioane

Reserves:

16. Ash Dixon (co-c)
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Jeff Thwaites
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Kazuki Himeno
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Ngatungane Punivai
23. Billy Harmon

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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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