Highlanders team to be released at four.

de Groot captain. Hicks and Holland to lock the scrum. Slightly odd decision to play Broughton at seven and put both Withy and Harmon on the bench. Sanders and Renton fill out the loose trio.

Backline remains the same.

Acscott on the bench for Hastie. Jonah Lowe keeps his spot.

Withy and Harmon dropped after being late to meeting

Highlanders v Waratahs – 7:35pm AEST (9:35pm NZT), Friday 8th March, ALLIANZ Stadium, Sydney

Ethan de Groot (C)
Henry Bell
Jermaine Ainsley
Fabian Holland
Max Hicks
Tom Sanders
Nikora Broughton
Hugh Renton
Folau Fakatava
Rhys Patchell
Jona Nareki
Sam Gilbert (VC)
Tanielu Tele’a
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES

Ricky Jackson
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Saula Ma’u
Sean Withy
Billy Harmon
James Arscott
Ajay Faleafaga
Jonah Lowe

Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen

Reserves: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu

With Harmon and Withy out was I perhaps a bit previous picking the Clam in tipping comp?? I not changing anyway!

@Dan54 still on the bench, hopefully aiming for a strong finish

After the performance on Saturday the rugby faithful better turn out at Allianz.

I'm going. Anyone else?

$40 for a GA ticket with 2 Cooper's is the going offer advertised to clubs

@Duluth said in Waratahs v Highlanders:

Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen

Reserves: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Tom Ross, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Teddy Wilson, Harry Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu

Hannigan returns to the starting lineup with FLW taking his spot on the bench.

Reilly in for Pietsch (HIA?).

Perese back from HIA, pushing Wilson to the bench.

Tom Ross (ex Brumbies) to debut for the tahs from the bench in place of Botha

Minimal changes. Good.

@NTA I picked the Landers to win this but that Waratah's team looks pretty settled.

@Canes4life said in Waratahs v Highlanders:

@NTA I picked the Landers to win this but that Waratah's team looks pretty settled.

Being settled never stopped them fucking it up before...

@NTA it doesn't but it could also spell danger because that Highlanders pack looks a little disjointed.

Maybe I'm underestimating the Tahs, but I'm not convinced by them just yet. That was an average Crusaders side, with a few flukey tries to boot. On another day, I suspect the Saders run away with that game. They were flogged Round One.

The Highlanders have previously struggled in these games, because we haven't had a backline capable of pouring on the points, so it inevitably came down to fine margins. 10 tries in two games is a cracking start, and there is no reason why that doesn't continue.

I see something like 38-29 to the Highlanders.

@frugby yep mate , I have the Clan in my picks too. I not sure if it my heart nudging my head one way, but I can see them sneaking this.

They should move the Super Round to Sydney.

That's a horrible call, TT wasn't even on the ball

Heart wants landers..... but I tipped Tahs.....

Glad to see some discipline being enforced with the boys being stood down..... culture has been pretty loose last year or two...and that leaked in to their performances.

Bit fortunate..... but we'll take it!!!

Great start by the Landers. 10-0 after a couple mins.

That looks like a bullshit call. Could've sworn those guys were next to Patchell when he dropped it.

Broughton is shiiiit

Fakatava looks good