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No Naholo for Highlanders

Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger has rung in some positional changes for the first leg of his side’s two-game South African tour.

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Ben Smith, moves to the right wing in place of the resting Waisake Naholo and utility back, Fletcher Smith, takes his place at fullback.

Tyrel Lomax will start at tighthead after Siate Tokolahi was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.

Among the reserves Mauger has opted for a six-two split, with loose forward James Lentjes returning for the first time this season and midfield back Patelesio Tomkinson making his way on to the bench.

Shannon Frizell joins the bench after scoring a hat-trick against the Blues last weekend.

Mauger is looking forward to the challenge of playing in South Africa against an in-form Bulls team.

“The guys have travelled well and we have had a good training week in preparation to face the challenges the Bulls will present on Saturday, both teams will be looking to keep the momentum of their season going.”

The Bulls have won their last three games, and have given their back row a shake-up for their home clash with the Highlanders.

Lock Jason Jenkins will move off the bench to openside flanker in place of the injured Roelof Smit, Marco van Staden moves to the blindside while Thembelani Bholi moves into No.8.

Lizo Gqoboka will earn his first start in the Super Rugby competition this year.

Gqoboka came off the bench in all eight matches so far this season, but with the suspension of Pierre Schoeman, now gets a chance to make an impression in the starting pack.

Gqoboka’s bench spot is filled by Conrad van Vuuren, who is back from suspension, while Hendre Stassen comes in for Jenkins and could add to his two caps for the Bulls.

Travis Ismaiel has returned to full match fitness and will start on the bench, replacing Duncan Matthews.

Embrose Papier is also back into the matchday squad at scrumhalf in place of Andre Warner, while Nicholas de Jager is fit again and comes back onto the bench as loose forward replacement.

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HIGHLANDERS

1. Dan Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Jackson Hemopo, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Elliot Dixon, 7. Dillon Hunt, 8. Luke Whitelock, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Teihorangi Walden, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Ben Smith (C), 15. Fletcher Smith.
Reserves: 16. Ash Dixon (C), 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Kalolo Tuiloma, 19. Alex Ainley, 20. Shannon Frizell, 21. James Lentjies, 22. Kayne Hammington, 23. Patelesio Tomkinson.

BULLS

1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. RG Snyman, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Jason Jenkins, 8. Thembelani Boli, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 10. Handre Pollard, 11. John-Ben Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. Divan Rossouw, 15. Warrick Gelant.
Reserves: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Frans van Wyk, 18. Conraad van Vuuren, 19. Hendre Stassen, 20. Nicholas de Jager, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Travis Ismaiel.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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