Changes loom for field days game

THE Highlanders have headed inland, but there will still be a game of rugby played at the field days at Waimumu next year.

And it is believed it will have an exotic flavour.

The farm field days have hosted the Highlanders for two matches in a field which was carved out of farmer’s Fred Booth’s property.

The game involved the Highlanders and the Crusaders, and was a good warmup for the Super Rugby season.

But with the Super Rugby starting in late January and the field days at Waimumu, near Gore, not taking place until February 1214, the Highlanders and Crusaders will be busy preparing for competition games and fully into the season.

The Highlanders and Crusaders are still playing a preseason game — in Wanaka on January 24.

There is still expected to be a game played at Waimumu and that was confirmed yesterday by field days organisers.

But it would not be announced until next week.

It is believed a side from Fiji has been lined up to play Southland in a match at the venue, played on the final day of the field days event.

A Meanwhile Highlanders first fiveeighth Bryn Gatland has made his return to the training paddock, although he was in unfamiliar colours.

The Highlander trained with Wales in Japan as it prepares for its Rugby World Cup semifinal against South Africa on Sunday.

The 24yearold son of Wales coach Warren Gatland suffered a serious foot injury playing for the Highlanders against the Sunwolves in April.

It is believed to be his first full session since the injury, media reported.

UK media have reported the Welsh team sought dispensation from All Blacks coach Steve Hansen for Gatland to train with the team, as the first five is eligible to play for New Zealand.