@Duluth said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

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1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Saula Ma’u
4 Shannon Frizell
5 Josh Dickson
6 James Lentjes
7 Billy Harmon (C)
8 Hugh Renton
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Freddie Burns
11 Jona Nareki
12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13 Fetuli Paea
14 Scott Gregory
15 Connor Garden-Bachop

Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall 17. Ayden Johnstone 18. Jermaine Ainsley 19. Marino Mikaele-Tu’ 20. Sean Withy 21. James Arscott 22. Mitch Hunt 23. Jonah Lowe

Not Available due to injury: Vili Koroi (knee) Marty Banks (groin) Jeff Thwaites (back) Josh Timu (leg) Jake Te Hiwi (ankle) Cameron Millar (ankle) Fabian Holland (hamstring) Will Tucker (concussion) Pari Pari Parkinson (illness) Martin Bogado (leg)

...i dont hate that team of even then bench except Paea...would honestly rather have gregory at 13 and lowe on the wing

I had to check what the deal was with Gilbert, rested after 700 minutes is probably fair

The lock situation is rough

Shannon starting at lock. If there's an injury I guess Renton moves there?

@Duluth thats the only option i can see...dont know who has played lock

Is Josh Bekhuis still part of the WTG? Ollie Haig would be big enough to provide some lock cover off the bench.

So are they resting de Groot and Smith in this game because they expect to lose this game and want their strongest team for their home games against the Rebels and Reds? Presumably the last round robin game against the Blues isn't an option for resting Smith as it may be the last game he will ever play for the Highlanders.

@Kiwiwomble said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

thats the only option i can see...dont know who has played lock

I had a look at the playing history and none of the options has started a game at lock

It might be MMT. Renton makes more sense so you can still have MMT make an impact in the wider channels

@Bovidae I read in one of the media articles this week that Bekhuis was back training with the Highlanders.

@Stargazer yeah, i saw that too, surprised he hasn't come in rather than starting frizell and no lock on the bench

@Stargazer you'd hope not, strategic subbing in anticipation of a loss...

I always struggle to get my head round that aspect, in the same way of how coaches of teams say like Fiji, Scotland et al when playing the ABs...how do you prepare them to win, when you are expecting to lose...

@taniwharugby Yeah, but I don't have another explanation. It makes more sense to rest players against weaker opponents (Rebels and Reds at home), so why against the Brumbies?

Avoid travel and bank on winning both home games to make the top 8.

Highlanders have already tanked games this season (Vs Crusaders round 2) so this is hardly surprising.

A win here would be a huge solid for the other NZ teams. Guess it ain't happening without their two best though.

@Kiwiwomble said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

@Duluth said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

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1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Saula Ma’u
4 Shannon Frizell
5 Josh Dickson
6 James Lentjes
7 Billy Harmon (C)
8 Hugh Renton
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Freddie Burns
11 Jona Nareki
12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13 Fetuli Paea
14 Scott Gregory
15 Connor Garden-Bachop

Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall 17. Ayden Johnstone 18. Jermaine Ainsley 19. Marino Mikaele-Tu’ 20. Sean Withy 21. James Arscott 22. Mitch Hunt 23. Jonah Lowe

Not Available due to injury: Vili Koroi (knee) Marty Banks (groin) Jeff Thwaites (back) Josh Timu (leg) Jake Te Hiwi (ankle) Cameron Millar (ankle) Fabian Holland (hamstring) Will Tucker (concussion) Pari Pari Parkinson (illness) Martin Bogado (leg)

Are you telling me Max Hicks is available but we are playing Frizzell at lock instead?

Som more details about the slections this week:

Renton is the lock cover

Highlanders have won 6 of their last 7 against the Brumbies.

@Duluth thanks for the jinx

The Highlanders need to bring out the camouflage kit for good luck.

@Kiwiwomble said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

@Duluth thanks for the jinx

Yup this will be a weekend to remember for Ozzie, two victories against kiwi sides

Reverse Jinx

Come on the Highlanders, time to help the Crusaders and Blues thanks.