Hansen helps Highlanders
ALL Blacks coach Steve Hansen did the Highlanders — and their fans — a favour yesterday in naming his 33strong All Black squad.
After it originally looked as if the Highlanders might be without more than a dozen players for next Tuesday night’s clash with the British and Irish Lions, because of All Black and Maori All Black commitments, the team will now feature plenty of talent.
Hansen included five Highlanders in the All Blacks yester day and then allowed two of them — winger Waisake Naholo and first fiveeighth Lima Sopoaga — to play next week, as they need match practice.
He has also allowed hooker Liam Coltman — who was included as injury cover for the squad — to play.
The southern franchise will have bruising centre Malakai Fekitoa in its lineup after the Tongan was not picked for the All Blacks and was not named as an injury backup.
But the Highlanders will still be without three All Blacks — Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, and Liam Squire, who is injured anyway, and their five Maori All Blacks — locks Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin, hooker Ash Dixon, loose forward Elliot Dixon and midfield back Rob Thompson.
OTAGO rugby fans will get their first real glimpses of the British and Irish Lions on Sunday, when the team arrives at Dunedin Airport.
The team will fly in from Christchurch and is expected to touch down at 2.45pm.
The Lions will play the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Tuesday night.
Dunedin is expected to go into carnival mode soon after the Lions arrive as it puts on a range of associated activities and events for residents and visitors.
Several Dunedin secondary school pupils will attend the Highlanders prematch captain’s run and a leadership breakfast with former All Blacks on Monday.
Highlanders fans will also have an opportunity to meet some of the players during a publicity session at the Meridian mall on Monday, from 11.30am until 12.30pm.
Dunedin City Council events special projects coordinator Tammy Jackman said there would also be a Sounds Dunedin music evening at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum on Monday.
The concert would be free and would feature four bands between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Ms Jackman said people needed to plan ahead in terms of getting to the game and she encouraged people to use public transport or consider parking further away and walking.
‘‘Match day will be a busy day in Dunedin so allow plenty of time to grab a bite to eat in the Octagon before joining Dunedin’s famous ‘walking bus’ along the fan trail to the stadium.
‘‘There will be plenty of activity along the way and a carnival atmosphere outside the stadium, including buskers and food vendors.’’
To help spectators get home, the DCC will run hourly buses from the Octagon, between 11.30pm and about 1.20am.
‘‘The buses will run along two routes, one to South Dunedin and one to North Dunedin and Wakari. The cost is a gold coin donation.
‘‘The DCC is trialling this service. If it is successful, a similar bus service may be provided for other events.’’
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull was delighted the city would be hosting the Lions.
‘‘We know this will be a great event for residents and visitors alike and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the special character of our city.
‘‘The Lions’ visits are a great tradition and we’re hoping we can repeat our 1993 effort when Otago beat the Lions in Dunedin.’’