Highlanders' tackling machine

THE Highlanders have named probably their strongest lineup to take on the Hurricanes, but it will almost be reintroduction time when the side gets together today.

It has been a disruptive week for the team and it will have its only full training run today after many players were at an All Blacks camp in Christchurch at the start of the week.

New All Black Shannon Frizell be on the bench and interim coach Mark Hammett said yesterday he had not even caught up with the loose forward to congratulate him on his national selection.

Frizell was in an All Black camp last week and stayed in New Zealand rather than play against the Reds in Brisbane.

‘‘I haven’t seen him. It is our first time to catch up with him . . . it won’t be about changing anything with him. It is just about playing and doing what he does well. That is what got him recognised in the first place,’’ Hammett said.

The camps are now over and it is all eyes on the game against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.

Hammett said the side was energised and had rotated players throughout the busy period.

‘‘We have managed it really well over the last couple of weeks. You will know some of our onfield leaders from last week did not stay with us . . . those guys have had pretty big minutes. They’ve had a week to freshen.’’

Coming back into the starting side are cocaptain Ben Smith at fullback and halfback Aaron Smith. Luke Whitelock is at No 8, while Liam Squire begins a game for the first time since early March.

Prop Kalolo Tuiloma has fined down and the CountiesManukau man gets his first start for the franchise.

‘‘He has just continued to get better. We set some pretty high goals for him and he has ticked them off and he gets the opportunity.’’

The Highlanders will wear black armbands to recognise the death of coach Aaron Mauger’s mother, Christine Wilson. Her funeral is today.

Mauger would probably be at the match and sitting in the coaches’ box.

Halfback Kayne Hammington had a sore ankle and was touch and go to play, but it had been decided to rest him.

Hammett said the emotion of Mauger’s loss would not have much impact on the game.

‘‘You can only draw on so much emotion. It doesn’t get you off the ground quicker for 80 minutes. For some it will, for others it won’t. I know Aaron will just want the guys to express themselves the best way they can.’’

It will be Hurricanes captain Brad Shields’ 100th game for the franchise, while former Highlander Gareth Evans comes back into the side at No 8.