Key trio may miss Rebels game
THE Highlanders are likely to be without some key players for the match against the Rebels this Saturday.
The much debated All Black rest stipulations have been hovering over the Super Rugby teams all season.
All Black coach Steve Hansen, has an agreement — some of it said to be reluctantly — with the coaches of the New Zealand franchises that All Black players have to sit out two games of the season for their sides.
The rests are said to help players play through a long and physical season.
Whatever the merits of the rests and who thinks they are a waste of time, the players have to stick by them and put their feet up.
Fullback and cocaptain Ben Smith, winger Waisake Naholo and No8 Luke Whitelock have all missed only one game for the Highlanders so far.
Smith and Whitelock missed the match against the Reds in Brisbane in late May while Naholo did not take the field against the Bulls in South Africa.
So with just the one match left in the regular season, and the playoffs just around the corner, it may well be time for Smith, Naholo and Whitelock to put the feet up for the game at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger had stuck to the line throughout the season that his players have had a plan about rests with the All Black management and he was comfortable with that plan.
It is hard to understand why Smith has to have a rest as he had the best part of six months off last year.
The other All Blacks in the Highlanders have all had their twogame rests.
Halfback Aaron Smith did not start games against the Blues and also the Reds although he did come off the bench in these games.
Loose forward Liam Squire has missed most of the season because of a thumb injury while loose forward team mate Shannon Frizell has started only three games.
Hooker Liam Coltman has been swapping positions with cocaptain Ash Dixon all season although Coltman has had the majority of starts.
The only players to have started every game this season for the Highlanders are backs Lima Sopoaga and Rob Thompson.
The Highlanders game on Saturday is at the earlier kickoff time of 5.15pm. Dunedin premier club games have been brought forward and will kick off an hour earlier than usual, at 1.45pm.