A settled looking Highlanders team has been named for the Sunday fixture, with only Jona Nareki coming in for Scott Gregory in the starting team. Nareki, a regular starter in the early part of the season, has made a real impact off the bench in the last two outings and been rewarded with the number 11 jersey. The rest of the starting team will get another opportunity to test themselves in what has been the toughest Super Rugby competition in recent years.
On the bench there is a six/two split with Daniel Lienert-Brown returning along with Teariki Ben-Nicholas and Ngatungane Punivai.
Head Coach, Aaron Mauger, is looking for an improved performance from his team, “I didn’t feel we did ourselves justice last week as we allowed the Blues to dominate us early and rack up some points. We were better in the back half, but it was too late. Playing the Crusaders, we know we will have to be tuned in from the very start but it’s another great opportunity for our guys to prove themselves against the competition leaders.”
Crusaders v Pulse Energy Highlanders – 3.35pm, Sunday 9 August, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Ash Dixon (cc)
3. Jeff Thwaites
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Jack Whetton
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Dillon Hunt
8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Josh Ioane
11. Jona Nareki
12. Patelesio Tomkinson
13. Michael Collins
14. Josh McKay
15. Mitch Hunt
Reserves
16. Liam Coltman
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Siate Tokolahi
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Jesse Parete
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Ngatungane Punivai
23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas
Unavailable due to injury: Nathan Vella (concussion)
Season ending injuries: Sione Misiloi (foot), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (shoulder), James Lentjes (ankle), Conor Garden-Bachop (back), Sam Gilbert (knee), Josh Dickson (leg), Kayne Hammington (hand)