DUNEDIN,NZ
Kemu Valetini, brother of Wallaby Rob, gets his first start of the season in the Drua’s No.10 jersey for the clash in Dunedin.
Kemu kicked the late penalty to seal the win over Crusaders on home turf.
Coach Mick Byrne has freshened up the team with key changes.
Eroni Sau and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta will miss this week’s match due to injury, while it’s
a first run-on starts for winger Taniela Rakuro and Valetini.
Emosi Tuqiri is back in the starting 15 as loosehead prop. Leone Rotuisolia returns to partner Isoa Nasilasila while Joseva Tamani returns at blindside flanker after missing out last week.
Another change sees the familiar pairing of Kalaveti Ravouvou and Apisalome Vota start this week as inside and outside centres respectively.
Highlanders (1-15):
Ethan de Groot, Leni Apisai, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert.
Replacements: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Will Tucker, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Jake Te Hiwi.
The Highlanders welcome back six players from injury – Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Will Tucker, James Lentjes and Saula Ma’u while there is a potential debut for hooker Jack Taylor. The Highlanders have lost two hookers to injury this season. At last count they had 17 players injured.
Drua (1-15):
Emosi Tuqiri, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi, Frank Lomani, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota
Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada.
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Jone Koroiduadua, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Vilive Miramira, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
PREDICTION.
The Highlanders should scrape home here against the Drua with home advantage and a few replacements coming back from injury. The Drua will miss the sweltering heat of Fiji in Dunedin but will be a nuisance all game. They are a side that can brake out from anywhere on the field. While I don’t think the Drua will win if you can find a site that gives you a 10 point start backing the Fiji mob I would look at that closely. The Otago mob are not playing great footie at the moment so it may not be a pretty game to watch. Careful with betting on this one.
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