Source: Radio New Zealand
Boom Otago rookie Lucas Casey has been handed a start for the Highlanders for Friday night’s opening clash with the Crusaders. The 22-year-old will run out at number eight, with Sean Withy and TK Howden with him in the loose forwards. The home side has already been rocked by the serious injury to All Black lock Fabian Holland, with Oliver Haig partnering Mitch Dunshea in the second row.
Angus Ta’avao will run out for his fourth Super Rugby side, the Highlanders prop previously representing the Blues, Waratahs and Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have kept All Blacks Codie Taylor and Will Jordan on the bench for the game. George Bell and Chay Fihaki start at hooker and fullback respectively, while Ethan Blackadder makes a welcome return at flanker.
Angus Ta’avao during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Other selection notes
Ngani Laumape will debut for Moana Pasifika at second five, for their match in Lautoka against the Drua. Miracle Faiilagi will lead the team in their first hit out of the post-Ardie Savea era.
Ngani Laumape tees off at Chasing the Fox at Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Bradley Slater and Pita Ahki go straight into the starting lineup for the Blues after signing in the off season. Torian Barnes goes onto the blindside in his debut, after being part of the wider training group at the start of preseason.
Their opponents, the Chiefs, have handed Kyren Taumoefolau a debut on the right wing. Josh Jacomb will start at first five with Damian McKenzie not considered after the birth of his first child last week.
Team lists
Highlanders v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 13 February
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ
Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy, 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Rohan Wingham, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a
Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Seb Calder, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Chay Fihaki
Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Will Jordan
Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 14 February
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live blog updates on RNZ
Moana Pasifika: 1 Tito Tuipulotu, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 3 Chris Apoua, 4 Tom Savage, 5 Allan Craig, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7 Semisi Paea, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 13 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14 Tevita Ofa, 15 William Havili
Bench: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 19 Ofa Tauatevalu, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Denzel Samoa, 23 Glen Vaihu
Blues v Chiefs
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 14 February
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ
Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4 Sam Darry, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Torian Barnes, 7 Dalton Papali’I (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai
Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Kaylum Bosher, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson, 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 13 Daniel Rona, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo
Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown
Also this weekend:
Waratahs v Reds
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 13 February
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Force v Brumbies
Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 14 February
HBF Park, Perth
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
