GAME FIVE, HIGHLANDERS v MOANA PASIFIKA
SATURDAY 24th FRBRUARY FORSYTH BARR STADIUM DUNEDIN
Highlanders
Super Rugby-winning coach Jamie Joseph has returned to Dunedin to help return the Highlanders to their former glory, after wrapping up his stint with the Brave Blossoms. But significant personnel has also departed the club, with Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Mitch Hunt and James Lentjes all having moved on. That is a massive amount of experience to farewell, with Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders and Welshman Rhys Patchell only really adding some genuine first-class exposure in the opposite direction. Local boy Cam Millar will be hoping to make the No. 10 shirt his own outside Folau Fakatava, who on his day is as dangerous with the ball as any scrum-half in the competition. Fakatava will be desperate to bring himself back up the All Blacks No. 9 pecking order, while de Groot will anchor the Highlanders scrum and offer a key ball-carrying option through the middle of the paddock. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ recruitment from the Blues adds a little more attacking threat out wide, and should help alleviate some of the focus from flyer Jona Nareki. The list, however, again does not compare favourably with the rest of New Zealand’s Super cohort and a scrap for the final couple of places in the top eight looks about the limit of the Highlanders’ season.
PREVIOUS HISTORY 2023
The Highlanders continued to lose touch with their fellow New Zealanders, winning five games to finish in ninth spot and outside the top eight. They were however dogged by injury, and without the depth of other New Zealand franchises, the rest weeks instigated for All Blacks Aaron Smith, Ethan de Groot and even skipper Billy Harmon took a toll. The Highlanders lacked a commanding presence at No. 10, with the club’s recruitment of Englishman Freddie Burns only returning mixed results, while Folau Fakatava only showed fleeting glimpses of his talent as he made a steady return from consecutive knee injuries. Without any major backline strike weapons, the Highlanders recorded the fewest line breaks and metres gained in the competition, and finished above only the Force for tries scored. Amid the club’s struggles, coach Clarke Dermody made a plea to New Zealand Rugby for a redistribution of playing talent, suggesting talented players on other rosters could be redirected to Dunedin. The coach also pointed to the franchise’s introduction of youth, hoping those who took their first steps into Super Rugby would be better for the experience in 2024.
PASIFIKA
Moana Pasifika has named a strong team to face the Highlanders in their first match of 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific. This year they are coached by the great, TANA UMAGA. Tana was a fearsome All Black, played for the Hurricanes also, and more recently was coaching with the Blues.
The new look side travel to Dunedin with four players set to make their Super Rugby Pacific debut and 10 players to make their debut for Moana Pasifika.
Viliami Fine is one of four Super Rugby Pacific debutants and will start on the left-wing. Joining him and bringing flair off the bench is Aisea Halo, exciting prospect Allan Craig and Māori All Black Jacob Norris.
The Southland connection runs deep for Fine who began his NPC career in Otago, playing his first game for the team at Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2021.
Known for his domination on the wing, Julian Savea moves into second five-eighth, forming the midfield pairing with Pepesana Patafilo who starts at centre and provides an electrifying presence in his own right.
Savea is one try away from becoming Super Rugby’s most prolific try-scorer, and has recorded a total of 60 tries.
The experienced Ereatara Enari and William Havili get the nod at halfback and first five-eighth respectively.
Nigel Ah Wong brings athleticism on the right wing and the dynamic Danny Toala rounds out the backline at number 15.
Super Rugby stalwart Sione Mafileo joins Captain and Manu Samoa internationals James Lay and Sama Malolo in the front row, all for the first time in Moana Pasifika colours.
Loose forward Miracle Faiilagi who had a breakthrough season in 2023 connects with Alamanda Motuga to steady the scrum with Lotu Inisi anchoring at number 8.
Thirteen-year rugby journeyman Tom Savage makes his first start for Moana and partners up with the towering Samuel Slade, filling the lock positions.
Leading the impact players are inaugural Moana Pasifika players Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole and Anzelo Tuitavuki all bringing energy and expertise off the bench. As well as versatile back D’angelo Leuila and Suetena Asouma who has earned his first playing opportunity on a full-time contract.
The following players are still out injured, Sekope Kepu, Ofa Tauatevalu, Sione Havili-Talitui, Solomone Funaki, Iakopo Mapu, Semisi Paea, Jonathan Taumateine, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Henry Taefu.
On Saturday, 4 May 2024, Moana Pasifika will make history when it takes the field to face the Highlanders in its first-ever Super Rugby Pacific game played in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Tonga Rugby Union will be thrilled to host the contest which will be held at Teufaiva Sport Stadium in the Kingdom’s capital, Nuku’alofa,
Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Rhys Patchell, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe
Pasifika (1-15): James Lay (c), Sama Malolo, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, William Havili, Viliami Fine, Julian Savea, Pepesane Patafilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Danny Toala
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Aisea Halo, D’Angelo Leuila, Anzleo Tuitavuki
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Referees: James Mabey, Marcus Playle
Played in front of the student population under the roof in Dunedin should be an awesome experience for some of these players. Nicknamed the glass house ,the students in the” ZOO” can get rather loud at times. I think with this atmosphere the Highlander team will be too good and go on to win by 10 points or so. Ethan De Groot has been left out to improve his fitness, so Leinert-Brown gets an opportunity to start.
Keep an eye out for Game 6, Reds v Waratahs
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