Highlanders look to Fakatava, Hunt
Highlanders fans still labouring under the misapprehension that Mitch Hunt was an Aaron Mauger/crusaders old boys selection last year promptly need to reassess that view.
New head coach Tony Brown also admires Hunt and his selection at No 15 against the Chiefs tonight shows that Hunt’s communication and leadership abilities continue to be a valued currency within the Highlanders, even if he doesn’t always get the plaudits from outside the camp.
The popular choice for Brown would have been to retain Solomon Alaimalo at fullback with Hunt on the bench, but the former Chief has played little rugby since suffering a serious shoulder injury last July and it will take a few games to find the timing of his runs and best form.
Besides, Hunt performed admirably at fullback last year and his selection is essentially a challenge to Alaimalo, Nehe
Super Rugby Aotearoa, round 2
Chiefs v Highlanders, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Tonight, 7.05pm
Mitchell Hunt, Connor Garden-bachop, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Folau Fakatava; Marino Mikaele-tu’u, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Jack Regan, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Daniel Lienert-brown. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-rickit, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith (cc), Solomon Alaimalo, Hugh Renton.
Damian Mckenzie, Jonah Lowe, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-brown, Etene Nanai-seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (cc); Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’neill. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Xavier Roe, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson.
Chiefs $1.58, Highlanders $2.28
Milner-skudder and Connor Garden-bachop to prove they can be better No 15 options than Hunt.
Many eyes tonight, however, will be trained on No 9 halfback Folau Fakatava.
He was the name on everyone’s lips after the Mitre 10 Cup last year, and his pre-season form for the Highlanders was equally impressive.
Fakatava will be expected to spark the Highlanders’ attack with his running game and growing passing game but his contribution on the other side of the ball might be the most noticeable difference from Smith.
Defensively he is extremely tough, and probably the best halfback in New Zealand over the ball.
During the pre-season game against the Crusaders in Temuka, he won one important breakdown penalty and also stood up to the test when the Crusaders aimed big wing Leicester Fainga’anuku down his channel.
That staunch attitude wins him admirers among the playing group and will be important during the periods of the game when the Chiefs are exerting pressure.
It is also a big game for lock Manaaki Selby-rickit, who missed out on the 23 against the Crusaders last week.
Selby-rickit’s athletic ability is not in doubt but he has been leapfrogged by Irishman Jack Regan and with Pari Pari Parkinson not too far away from a return Selby-rickit needs to show he ha can nail his core duties off the bench against a relatively young Chiefs pack.
The bookies have installed the Chiefs as warm favourites but this must be seen as a real opportunity for the Highlanders to open their account in 2021.
What: Who: When: Highlanders:
Chiefs:
TAB odds: