Reds v Highlanders

Stargazer

Highlanders

1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
2 Ash Dixon (c)
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 Jackson Hemopo
5 Tom Franklin
6 James Lentjes
7 Dillon Hunt
8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
9 Kayne Hammington
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Tevita Li
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Rob Thompson
14 Waisake Naholo
15 Josh McKay

Reserves
16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Kalolo Tuiloma
19 Josh Dickon
20 Liam Squire
21 Aaron Smith
22 Josh Ioane
23 Richard Buckman

Not available: Thomas Umaga-Jensen (shoulder), Siate Tokolahi (Knee), Guy Millar (knee), Elliot Dixon (elbow)

.
New look back row to take on the Reds in Brisbane

The Reds, coached by former Highlander Brad Thorn, will face a Highlanders team with a new look back row and two All Blacks on their bench in the Saturday night showdown in Brisbane.

All Blacks, Ben Smith, Luke Whitelock, Shannon Frizell and Liam Coltman are not included this week however Waisake Naholo will start in his normal right-wing spot while Liam Squire returns from his round three injury to take his place on the bench, he will be accompanied by Aaron Smith and Richard Buckman, who will be making his first appearance of the season. Lock, Josh Dickson and hooker, Greg Pleasants-Tate also come into the match day playing 23.

An elbow injury to Elliot Dixon, sustained in last week’s game against the Waratahs, means a new look back row. James Lentjes will play in the blindside flanker position and Marino Mikaele Tu’u earns his first run on of the season. Teihorangi Walden returns to his midfield partnership with Rob Thompson and it will be a Highlanders’ debut for young fullback Josh McKay.

“We have had a good training week and there is a real determination  amongst the group to meet the challenge on Saturday. The Reds in Brisbane are always a difficult prospect and their performance last week demonstrates their capabilities,” said assistant coach Mark Hammett.

Stargazer

Finally, the Buck Truck is back!

Mikaele-Tu'u getting his first start and McKay his first cap as well.

Will be interesting to see how Mikaele-Tu'u goes; no. 8 is his preferred spot.

Stargazer

Nil all after 15 minutes. Not the best of games thus far. Reds have had a few more chances, but managed to butcher them all by themselves.

Stargazer

Mikaele-Tu'u seems a lot bigger than last year.

Nepia

Awful pass from Sopoaga, blew a try.

Stargazer

Lentjes off for a HIA.

Stargazer

Bugger.

ShadowTrooper

WTF has happened to the Landers in recent weeks? Their scrum and set piece have turned to mush

Stargazer

@shadowtrooper Not sure. Too many changes in the line-up?

Tordah

Rashivenge is such a shit ref, same as he was in Sevens.

Siam

You get sinbinned for an intentional knock on 45 metres out but Higgenfuckwit takes out a half back 1 metre out and penalty only?
Fuck off

Tordah

5 penalties in the red zone and not even a talking to. Rasta can fuck right off back to sevens. Or under-7s

Smuts

@siam but that penalty is nonsense. Highlanders had under resourced the ruck - in any fair world it is play on Reds ball.

Tordah

Buckman that was shit

Damo

Naholo has been very average tonight.

Siam

@smuts What? Taking out the halfback?

That's a penalty all day

Stargazer

Take the points!

Stargazer

I can't help thinking that the Landers are not as good as last year. That's a bit unexpected, as last year they had an awful lot of injuries and this year they have not.

Tordah

Well, I saw today why DLB was not on the AB's radar. Many, many missed tackles and getting partially dominated by a fat kid that looks barely out of puberty

Siam

@stargazer

Yeah last year they coped remarkably well with many injuries, a bit like the Chiefs this year, but the game plan demands high accuracy on attack which was lacking tonight.

Certainly a few creaks and leaks there now

But

With key players rested I'll fucken take that win!

Reds kicking the ball away with 5 to go was flabbergasting.

We're playing ugly but a win away and a break.

Should have scored a try in the last 15 or so

Smith was class. Made the win happen

Ref is an example of how inconsistent law interpretations between refs is frustrating. Many base of the ruck turnovers were just players coming in from and up the side according to most interpretations

Reds blew it really, and that's always funny

The Silver Fern

Reds v Highlanders