Highlanders

Ethan de Groot (co-c), Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Lucas Casey, Nikora Broughton, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Nic Shearer, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris

Waratahs

Isaac Kailea, Ethan Dobbins, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon (c), Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen

Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Jack Barrett, Apolosi Ranawai, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Harry Potter

Ok, 11-13.....why?

that has to be a typo no? originally mis read that but yeah, why lowe on the wing and nareki in midfield?

maybe its some genius move to flood the right wing with Nareki,Tangitau and JRK...left win just needed to weather the storm

edit: Highlanders have confirmed NOT a typo......

Deck chair shuffling areas here…

@frugby said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

Deck chair shuffling areas here…

Tahs arent even bothering with that.....

can we just give up on this year, run out some development players in a couple of positions

I like that Lennox is back starting and happy to see Casey get a run in the 7 jersey. Broughton has been solid at 8 so can understand why he’s kept there with his work rate.

Good to see Lavanini back and Haig get a bit of rest on the bench, been a big season for him minutes wise. It’s a shame Bartlett is injured as I was really liking his progression this season behind De Groot.

Nareki at 13 is interesting, keen to see how that unfolds against big Suali’i… Hell of a matchup to throw him into though Narekis defense is usually sound, that 13 channel is a different kettle of fish though.

Have a good feeling about this one and think we get the job done after an awful game last weekend.

Oh and how could I forget. Stoked to see Vikena is dropped from the 23 completely

I can see it working, but Lowe is not a good winger and was settling into the midfield nicely. Isn't Nareki leaving anyway?

@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

I like that Lennox is back starting and happy to see Casey get a run in the 7 jersey. Broughton has been solid at 8 so can understand why he’s kept there with his work rate.

Good to see Lavanini back and Haig get a bit of rest on the bench, been a big season for him minutes wise. It’s a shame Bartlett is injured as I was really liking his progression this season behind De Groot.

Nareki at 13 is interesting, keen to see how that unfolds against big Suali’i… Hell of a matchup to throw him into though Narekis defense is usually sound, that 13 channel is a different kettle of fish though.

Have a good feeling about this one and think we get the job done after an awful game last weekend.

the only thing i can think of is they want nareki, who is normally a very solid defender there....im hoping we're not that superficial and we are going to change other things, maybe more kicks down the middle they want him chasing? or looking to connect nareki, JRK and tangitau more.....but mostly im worried we've just created a weakness out wide that will be exploited

You’re all being incredibly generous to what is a fucking stupid decision. 13 is an incredibly difficult position to defend. The defensive system is already terrible as the current centres never split properly and we constantly get exposed out wide.

So let’s chuck a wing a centre in a must win game?

dont think anyone is defending it or even saying they understand....at most trying to work out potential reasons

@Kiwiwomble maybe to cover Jorge with pace?

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

dont think anyone is defending it or even saying they understand....at most trying to work out potential reasons

Exactly lol. Choosing to be optimistic and happy they are actually trying something different, not just looking at it and being a nancy all the time… that must be exhausting

Vikena is back on the bench according that sky line up. Ffs

An all Australian referee group. ref, touchies and TMO. Niiiiice. How do they decide that

Lovely start on D for Jona

Beautiful rugby. Good work Tangitau

Thank god for Caleb

Class from Tangitau

Caleb made that look easy. Sualii as we know is no slouch on D

Suaali gets paid a million more than he should

@jimmyb will be the last time he tries to shoot out on Tangitau

Jesus he's a special talent Tangitau

The difference bwtween winning games.

Jesus that was pretty good

Tangitau take a bow. Incredible start to the game for him

All comes down to the dominant scrum. Lovely to see

@jimmyb said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

Suaali gets paid a million more than he should

He peaked in his first game of rugby for Wallabies vs England

@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

Tangitau take a bow. Incredible start to the game for him

Great to see him pick and go like that.

And nearly set another one up

DeGroot and Newell have to be the starting props for the ABs

Tahs defending like their assistant coach Mike Catt

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

And nearly set another one up

A man on a mission

@jimmyb said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

DeGroot and Newell have to be the starting props for the ABs

Grooter is running the classic propping career. Absolutely thriving now as he enters his late 20s. Hopefully living overseas will just be far too exotic for him

Finally some beautiful rugby today from us been waiting all season

Oh that’s beautiful

Wow this team is doing the basics well. Millar is running the ship well

Lovely ball from Cam and good work from Lowe to flick that offload. What a start

Who were the absolute spuds that played against the Brumbies and Drua? Where has this team been