Play Safe, Keep it Tight
Let’s not be fooled by the Highlanders long list of injured players that was read out by head coach Clarke Dermody on Monday.
This is a mind game with the aim to mislead the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific showdown in Dunedin on Saturday.
After the Drua fell short 27-24 to the Reds in Brisbane, the Highlanders are wary of the unpredictable Fijians who have claimed the scalps of defending champions Crusaders and Moana Pasifika.
For the Drua, it’s all about playing safe and keeping it tight.
With his wealth of experience, Drua head coach Mick Byrne will definitely not be carried away with his Match 23 selection for the Highlanders just because certain players played well against the Reds.
This became evident during the press conference on Tuesday evening, when Byrne in answering questions from the media maintained that first five eight Teti Tela was doing what he usually does with the team. This was despite the fact that Tela’s kicking game was not up to par.
Bryne will definitely keep the halves combination of Frank Lomani and Tela, which has stood the test so far.
Against the Highlanders, they are facing the veteran star All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith and goal kicking ace Mitch Hunt.
With winger Eroni Sau, back home to rest for 12 days after receiving a head knock, Byrne is expected to make changes in the midfield combination. This could see the centre partnership of Kalaveti Ravouvou and Apisalome Vota being restored after their sterling performance at last year’s Super Rugby.
The impressive Iosefo Masi will be pushed to the wing to replace Sau while Selestino Ravutaumada retains his spot along with full-back Ilaisa Droasese.
Byrne has confirmed that blindside flanker Joseva Tamani is back training for the Highlanders match. Tamani was dropped from the starting line-up against the Reds because of a back strain he suffered while lifting in the lineout.
“For the back spasm, Joseva needed about 48 hours to recover but unfortunately it was close to game time and he could not play,” Byrne said.
Tamani is expected to play at
No.6 with Kitione
Salawa at openside flanker while Meli Derenalagi packs down at No.8.
The locking pair of Isoa Nasilasila and Leone Rotuisolia are expected to start as Dermody wants his key lock forwards of Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh Dickson to play against the
Drua.
For the front rows, tighthead prop
Samuela Tawake and Emosi
Tuqiri are tipped to start with Mesulame Dolokoto to get his first Super start for 2023 season.