@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:

View embedded content

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.

This may get ugly this afternoon .... The pack needs to match them up front... should do in the loose....and FF needs an absolute blinder... for us to have any chance.... feel like its go to be a schooling for FF from Mr White unfortunately

Gregory first touch a kick out on the full.

Jeez some of these Highlanders are utter battlers

first facepalm for the afternoon... Gregory is so average

Oh my god, he passed it straight to him

Refreshing to see a player penalised for that.

@KiwiMurph certainly wasn't been pinged last night

@Mattasaurus Yeah some players take the piss

@KiwiMurph some refs are incompetent