Marlborough Express

Pack power restored for Highlander­s

- CHRIS BARCLAY

RUGBY: The Highlander­s have strengthen­ed their scrum and stacked the bench with impact forwards to combat South Africa’s buoyant Lions and the energy-sapping effects of altitude in their Super Rugby semifinal in Johannesbu­rg.

Although head coach Jamie Joseph is anticipati­ng a free-flowing encounter at Ellis Park on Sunday [NZ time] and the Lions are not as set-piece obsessed as their rivals in the Africa group, the Highlander­s have still adopted a pragmatic approach at the set piece.

The selection of a mobile forward pack in anticipati­on of favourable conditions in Canberra last Friday was undermined by the weather and although clear skies are predicted over Johannesbu­rg this weekend, the selection of two specialist locks appears prudent.

Though Luke Whitelock did an admirable job against the Brumbies - and the scrum was solid when required during the last 10 minutes - veteran Alex Ainley returns to the second row to add ballast alongside Tom Franklin. Whitelock returns to his usual position at No 8, leaving Liam Squire to offer impetus off the bench.

James Lentjes, who featured prominentl­y in the latter stages of the Highlander­s’ push for the title 12 months ago, faces the same assignment this season as he is reinstated on the openside flank for co-captain Shane Christie.

Lentjes only started for the first time this year against the Jaguares in the penultimat­e round of the regular season but successful­ly made the adjustment from training and club rugby to keep the more dynamic Dan Pryor in reserve.

Tongan prop Siosuia Halanukonu­ka was the only injury casualty from the quarterfin­al with an ankle injury ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign, he is replaced on the bench by Ross Geldenhuys.

As forecast when he joined the team en route to South Africa, back-up first fiveeighth Marty Banks returns from a hamstring strain for his fifth appearance of a season frustrated by injury.

Banks replaces rookie Otago pivot Fletcher Smith while the starting backline is predictabl­y unchanged.

Meanwhile, the Lions are confident they can bounce back from a 34-15 loss to the Highlander­s on March 12 in Dunedin, where they were outscored four tries to two the round after they upset the Chiefs in Hamilton.

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