Highlanders v Rebels

[Stargazer]

Highlanders

1 Aki Seuili
2 Liam Coltman
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 Alex Ainley
5 Jackson Hemopo
6 Shannon Frizell
7 James Lentjes (C)
8 Liam Squire
9 Kayne Hammington
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Tevita Li
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen
14 Waisake Naholo
15 Josh Ioane

Reserves
16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Daniel Lienert-Brown
18 Kalolo Tuiloma
19 Tom Franklin
20 Dillon Hunt
21 Josh Renton
22 Matt Faddes
23 Josh McKay

.

Highlanders hello and goodbyes!

The Pulse Energy Highlanders say hello to one Wellingtonian and goodbye to another this weekend when they return to Forsyth Barr Stadium for the first time in six weeks to play their final regular season home game against play-off hopefuls, the Melbourne Rebels.

This could well be the last game at Forsyth Barr Stadium for departing first-five, Lima Sopoaga, who currently holds the Highlanders record for most points scored in a season (191 points in 2015) and has accumulated a total of 840 points for the club (825 Super Rugby points) over 90 games (88 Super Rugby games). He scored eight points against the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and seven against the French Barbarians in 2018.

Sopoaga will head over to the London-based Wasps at the end of the season but wants to finish 2018, and his career spanning eight years with the Club, on a high, “I have loved my time here at the Highlanders, it is an unreal place to play Super Rugby and I’m looking forward to being back out there under the roof in front of our home fans this weekend. I’m focused on finishing the season well before looking ahead to the next chapter of mine and my family’s life in the UK.”

Fellow Wellingtonian youngster Thomas Umaga-Jensen has been named to make his Super Rugby debut in the midfield alongside Josh Ioane, who will start for the first time at fullback. Kayne Hammington comes into the starting number 9 jersey and Tevita Li returns to the left wing.

In the forwards veteran lock, Alex Ainley, returns to the starting team and joins with new All Blacks, Jackson Hemopo and Shannon Frizell, while James Lentjes captains the team from the open side. Liam Squire moves to the back of the scrum to replace Luke Whitelock, who earns a well-deserved rest along with Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Rob Thompson.

[Tim]

Do they rate Lentjes over Hunt, or are they resting him for the play-offs?

[Stargazer]

@tim Was wondering the same thing, but Hunt isn't named among the players being rested.

Also, why on earth has Lentjes been named the captain? I admit to not being a fan of his, but Ainley, Squire & maybe Hemopo seem more suited to the role? Or Sops in his last game at home?

[Nepia]

Pffft, you guys are ignoring the main highlight of this team Tongan Frizell gets a start!

[Louis]

@nepia Would you have less of a hard on for Frizell if Akira were picked for the ABs?

[Nepia]

@louis said in Highlanders v Rebels:

@nepia Would you have less of a hard on for Frizell if Akira were picked for the ABs?

Instead of Frizell? Then no. As well as Frizell? Yes.

Wouldn't the proper term be flaccid on?

[Duluth]

Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Tom English (c), Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Michael Ruru, Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga’a, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Sam Talakai, Anaru Rangi, Fereti Sa’aga
Reserves: Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Jeffries, Richard Hardwick, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Lopeti Timani

Coleman, Genia, D Haylett-Petty and Parling all injured

[KiwiMurph]

The best part of that Highlanders team is Umaga-Jensen at centre. He looked really promising in the midfield for Wellington last season. He is still very raw but up against English is a good time to give him a run - English is experienced but very much a journeyman at 13 (still better than Michael Collins though...)

[Chris B.]

Let's hope the Highlanders aren't taking this too lightly with their resting of big guns.

If the Rebels would somehow win with a bonus point and the Jags won as well, we'd have all four NZ teams on one side of the play-offs draw!

[Bones]

Well fuck Hammington, that's a great start. And was that Li with the pathetic challenge off Hammington's pathetic kick?

[Bones]

Hammington is shaping up for a shitter. His decision making when distributing is patchy at best.

[Tordah]

@bones said in Highlanders v Rebels:

Hammington is shaping up for a shitter. His decision making when distributing is patchy at best.

and throwing Genia-esque forward passes the whole time

[Bones]

OK what the fuck was that. Get Hammington off for an HIA.

[Tordah]

Squire with Shields-hands so far.

[Machpants]

Jeez landers look like they're trying to pay catch up rugby, two tries behind with minutes left. Calm the fuck down

[Bones]

My god Li does some dumb shit.

[KiwiMurph]

Koroibete really is a turnstyle in defence. Missed numerous tackles already.

[taniwharugby]

@bones they all are...playing like they need a try in the last 60 seconds!

[taniwharugby]

one team playing like they are in the finals, the other playing like the Blues

[Bones]

Hammington strikes again, throws his third ridiculous hospital of the match to try get Sopoaga taken out.