Barbarians clash a chance for next Hemopo to shine
If anyone believes June friendlies are a waste of time for Super Rugby sides, think again.
After all, it was last year’s match between the Highlanders and British and Irish Lions when lock Jackson Hemopo put in a mighty effort for the southerners.
Fast forward a year, and he’s set to make his All Blacks debut against France in Dunedin tomorrow night.
It hasn’t been lost on Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon ahead of the team’s match against the French Barbarians in Invercargill tonight, their only match during the international window.
‘‘One hundred per cent, this is where guys get their break, for them it’s a great opportunity,’’ Dixon said.
‘‘Jackson is the perfect example of that, a guy that nobody knew and this was his game [last year]. He came out and did what Jax does. Gets on with it and doesn’t say a word.’’
Despite seven Highlanders being in the All Blacks’ 23 to play France, including rookie loose forward Shannon Frizell, head coach Aaron Mauger has wheeled out a side more than capable of nabbing a second international scalp in as many years.
In addition to Dixon, departing first-five Lima Sopoaga will cocaptain the team, which includes the return of prop Siate Tokolahi from a knee injury, and a first appearance for midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen, whose rookie season has been hindered with a shoulder injury.
There is a ton of experience courtesy of No 8 Elliot Dixon, lock Alex Ainley, and midfielder Richard Buckman.
And then there is uncapped lock Pari Pari Parkinson, a player Dixon singled out when speaking about the opportunity tonight presented.
Parkinson, who Dixon labelled ‘‘probably the tallest human in New Zealand at the moment’’, is 2.04m tall, and a former member of the Crusaders academy.
The Saint Kentigern College old boy represents Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup, and is worth keeping an eye on in the deep south as the Highlanders prepare to play a team they know little about.
Sure, they’ve taken a look at their 42-26 loss to the Crusaders last week. But tonight’s match is mostly about the Highlanders limiting rust when Super Rugby resumes next weekend.
It’s also breath of fresh air from their usual June meeting with the Crusaders.
‘‘I think this is what we should be doing, playing teams we don’t usually get an opportunity to play,’’ Dixon said.
‘‘Usually we play the Crusaders or something, and you end up playing them in preseason and mid-way in the season, you end up playing them four times a year, which can be