Highlanders team
Luke Whitelock’s value to the Highlanders has been emphasised a day after he re-signed with the Super Rugby champions, with the former All Black retaining his starting role for tomorrow’s blockbuster with the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Whitelock’s emergence has been a focal point of the Highlanders’ recent victories over the Chiefs and Crusaders, with the Canterbury captain again resisting the challenge of rival No 8 Liam Squire.
The 25-year-old, who extended his current contract through to the end of 2018, has developed into Nasi Manu’s successor although Squire will undoubtedly offer punch off the bench at Westpac Stadium.
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph has made two changes to the lineup that ran on against the Crusaders in Dunedin on May 13.
Lock rotation continues with Tom Franklin replacing Joe Wheeler in the second row.
Loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-Brown returns after withdrawing from the Crusaders game due to illness so Josh Hohneck reverts to tighthead and Siosiua Halanukonuka drops to the bench.
Joseph has persisted with Malakai Fekitoa playing out of position at second fiveeighth inside Matt Faddes, who is enjoying a dream debut season at Super Rugby level.
However, assistant coach Scott McLeod – a former All Black midfielder – said the combination was not set in stone for the duration of the title defence.
‘‘I wouldn’t say it’s as sorted as what people think it is. There’s competition there,’’ he said.
‘‘Depending on the opposition we play, we look for opportunities and we put people’s strengths into those opportunities. We saw a couple of things around the Chiefs and Crusaders where we thought Matt would go well at centre and Malakai at 12. ‘‘Not every game will be like that.’’ McLeod said the Highlanders had to switch back into game mode seamlessly after a bye week that still featured training sessions. He was particularly pleased, as defence coach, that the side was able to handle significant pressure early in their wins over the Chiefs and Crusaders.
‘‘We absorbed a lot of pressure in the first 20 minutes of both those games. Both teams line broke against us and got in behind us.
‘‘What was pleasing is they didn’t get too much out of that. We shored up our spaces and we were able to quickly turn around, apply pressure on them and score points.
‘‘It’s pleasing to see from the sidelines when a team can absorb that then turn around and execute straight away.’’
McLeod said although the Highlanders had their strategies in place for the New Zealand conference frontrunners, a rethink was necessary as the Hurricanes posed ‘‘different threats’’.
The back three is one area where the Hurricanes offer genuine strikepower and with Julian Savea and Cory Jane presumably keen to atone for being stood down for the game against the Reds on May 14.
McLeod said the matchup between Julian Savea and Waisake Naholo was an example of where coach occasionally morphed into fan.
‘‘It’s hard not to be a bit of a spectator sometimes, just the joy they bring and the way they express themselves and the opportunities they find,’’ he said.