Super Rugby lineups: Tardy duo demoted

The Highlanders have demoted captain Billy Harmon and standout flanker Sean Withy to the bench for the clash against the Waratahs tomorrow after they were late for a team meeting.

Coach Clarke Dermody said the incident was minor in isolation, and a “genuine accident”, but the decision emphasised that the Highlanders wanted to draw a line in the sand on team standards.

“A couple of players this week were late for a team meeting,” Dermody said yesterday. “Part of our standards this year is, no matter who it is, it’s unacceptable and you lose your place in the team.’’

It is understood the incident was not alcohol-related

Here’s how the teams line up for round 3:

Tomorrow, 7.05pm at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Moana Pasifika: TBA

Tomorrow, 9.35pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Highlanders: Jacob RatumaitavukiKneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava; Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (capt). Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe.

Saturday, 2.05pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka

Crusaders coach Rob Penney has named a couple of uncapped players on his bench, including a pivot who was with the Chiefs not so long ago.

Riley Hohepa will provide cover for 20-year-old Taha Kemara, after joining the Crusaders as injury cover for Rivez Reihana, while midfielder Jone Rova is also in line to make his debut.

Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Taha Kemara, Willi Heinz, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower. Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl SykesMartin, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, Mitchell Drummond, Jone Rova, Riley Hohepa.

Saturday, 7.05pm at Sky Stadium, Wellington

Hurricanes: TBA

Jordie Barrett has been banned for three weeks after his red card in his 100th Hurricanes match against the Reds.

The All Blacks midfielder was sent off for a high shot in the 56th minute on counterpart Jordan Petaia in Melbourne on Sunday.

Barrett faced Sanzaar’s foul play review committee and his red card was upheld.

As for the Blues, the hot-to-trot Hoskins Sotutu will play from the bench in a rejigged back-row, which sees Akira Ioane start at the back of the scrum and Anton Segner recover from a knock to reclaim the No 6 jersey.

In the backs, Finlay Christie and Rieko Ioane return from All Blacks rest to start, while Caleb Clarke and Bryce Heem are out of the 23, with AJ Lam moving across to the left wing and Harry Plummer promoted to start at second-five.

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Cole Forbes.

Saturday, 9.35pm at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Despite his side’s hot start to the season, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has opted to make several tweaks to his lineup this week, with North Harbour loose forward Wallace Sititi and Taranaki first-five Josh Jacomb in line for debuts off the bench.

Chiefs: Josh Ioane, Shaun Stevenson, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene NanaiSeturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (capt), Simon Parker, Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki SelbyRickit, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Jacomb, Anton Lienert-Brown.