Naholo Starts For Highlanders
Waisake Naholo starts on the wing for the Highlanders team that is close to full strength for their season opening match against the Blues.
Teihorangi Waldenwill start outside All Blacks five-eighth Lima Sopoaga in Dunedin on Friday, with Rob Thompson shifting out to centre in place of the injured Richard Buckman (neck). Proven and versatile back Matt Faddes misses a starting spot and takes his place on the bench.
The midfield shuffle is the only change made by new coach Aaron Mauger to the starting side who beat the Crusaders in last week’s preseason clash in Gore.
All Blacks flanker Elliot Dixon is once again on the bench, along with former Rebels prop Tyrel Lomax.
Hulking former Australia under20s prop Lomax is the son of former Kiwis league prop John and will be the only player to make his Highlanders debut if called into action.
All Blacks fullback and Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith makes his first top flight appearance since taking a sabbatical midway through last year’s international schedule.
Fellow co-captain Ash Dixon wins the starting hooker berth over one Test veteran Liam Coltman. Mauger says the opening game has been on the players’ mind since gathering before Christmas and hope it reflects against a strong Blues side. “Throughout the preseason we have had a real focus on producing a performance that we and our supporters can be proud of,” he said. “It’s great we have the opening match at our home ground for the Gordon Hunter trophy, it gives us a really good opportunity to connect with our people.”
The late Gordon Hunter coached both teams and they have contested the silverware in his name 16 times since 2002.
The record is eight wins each, with the Highlanders the current holders.
Meanwhile, Tana Umaga has cast aside a hefty early season injury toll to name a strong Blues side. All Blacks flanker Jerome Kaino (ankle) is among 11 players unavailable to Umaga.
Yet he has still unveiled a starting XV featuring six Test players in the starting line-up and a seventh, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, among the reserves.
Newly appointed captain Augustine Pulu will hope his service from halfback can spark a backline swelling with attacking talent, including wingers Rieko Ioane and Matt Duffie and midfield pairing Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala.
A key performer will be Bryn Gatland, who will make his fifth Blues appearance at five-eighth but possibly owed to the injuries suffered by Stephen Perofeta and Otere Black.
Flanker Glenn Preston will make his Super Rugby debut while most of the bench are yet to play for the Blues.
Those hoping for a first appearance are hooker Leni Apisai, prop Mike Tamoaieta, halfback Jonathan Ruru, five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick and loose forward brackets, Antonio Kiri Kiri and Sione Havili. Coach Umaga, who said Kaino is likely to be fit next week, is looking forward to seeing how his new players gel.
He said while excitement levels are high, it takes more than that to win New Zealand derbies. They have won just once in their past 22 games against Kiwi opponents, which has contributed to them failing to make the finals since 2011.
“Everyone is excited to get the season underway and I’m pleased with the attitude and application from our players in preseason,” Umaga said.
“We continued to improve last year but we know that we need to do better against our fellow New Zealand teams, especially with two full derby rounds this year, and also deliver on those key moments in what is going to be a very tight and tough season.
“We have a few players with longer term injuries, and some with lesser injuries that could have possibly played if pushed, but this is a long season and player welfare is really important.” Highlanders takes on the Blues at 6:35pm tomorrow in Dunedin.
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Dan Pryor, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes