SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, APRIL 28th,2023 HIGHLANDERS v NSW Waratahs
ALLIANZ STADIUM,SYDNEY
Aaron Smith will captain the Highlanders in place of flanker Billy Harmon, who has returned home due to personal reasons and will miss their crunch clash with the Waratahs.
Smith is one of a bunch of returning players as the Highlanders seek to bounce back from their lousy defeat to the Force last week, a match he missed due to a family bereavement.
Fellow All Blacks halfback Folau Fakatava (illness) is also back, as is electric wing Jona Nareki for the first time this season.
Highlanders fans can only hope injury-prone Nareki, who has been hindered by foot injury most recently, will provide some much-needed impact for a team lacking x-factor.
Nareki will make his return off the bench, while Otago loose forward Sean Withy will take Harmon’s place in the No 7 jersey.
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman has recalled six Wallabies to his starting XV that lost to the Blues in Auckland.
Dave Porecki returns with Mahe Vailanu moving to the bench, while Te Tera Faulkner replaces the injured Tom Lambert to complete an all-Wallaby front-row alongside Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Hugh Sinclair returns from a shoulder injury suffered against the Rebels in round three, partnering Jed Holloway in the second row.
Coleman has added two Wallabies to his back-row with Michael Hooper returning to the side after completing his national resting, while Langi Gleeson returns from a calf injury suffered against the Hurricanes in round four.
Jake Gordon continues his all-Wallaby partnership with Ben Donaldson in the halves, while Wallaby rested Lalakai Foketi resumes his devastating combination in the midfield with Izaia Perese.
Max Jorgensen returns to fullback, with Wallaby rested Mark Nawaqanitawase joining Dylan Pietsch on the wings.
The Waratahs will be wearing their 2023 First Nations jersey this weekend.
Highlanders:
Connor Garden-Bachop, Jonah Lowe, Fetuli Paea, Sam Gilbert, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (capt), Hugh Renton, Sean Withy, Shannon Frizell, Will Tucker, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki.
Waratahs:
Max Jorgensen, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Langi Gleeson, Michael Hooper, Taleni Seu, Hugh Sinclair, Jed Holloway, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dave Porecki, Te Tera Faulker. Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Daniel Botha, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Joey Walton, Mosese Tuipulotu.
Referee, Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees, Jordan Way, Matt Kellahan
PREDICTION
Both sides are desperate for a win and both have looked poor over all. I think the home advantage gives the Aussie side a chance here and their forwards look good. The Otago team were terrible last week in Perth and will need a miracle here.
Waratahs by a couple of points.
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