Highlanders vs Stormers

[Duluth]

http://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/882-highlanders-name-team-for-match-against-the-stormers

1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
2 Liam Coltman
3 Siate Tokolahi
4 Jackson Hemopo
5 Tom Franklin
6 Liam Squire
7 Dillon Hunt
8 Luke Whitelock
9 Aaron Smith
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Tevita Nabura
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Rob Thompson
14 Waisake Naholo
15 Ben Smith (C)

16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Ski Seiuli
18 Tyrel Lomax
19 Shannon Frizell
20 Elliot Dixon
21 Josh Renton
22 Fletcher Smith
23 Matt Faddes

Not Available: Thomas Umaga-Jensen (shoulder), James Lentjes (shoulder), Richard Buckman (neck), Ash Dixon (back)

After a week off for the bye the Pulse Energy Highlanders will take on the Cape Town based Stormers and will be seeking their second win of the season. There is a look of consistency in the team with only three changes from their season opener against the Blues. In the forwards,  Ta$man loosie Shannon Frizzel takes his place on the reserves bench, while co-captain Ash Dixon will miss the game with a back injury and will be replaced by Greg Pleasants-Tate. In the backs, powerful Fijian winger Tevita Nabura earns a spot on the left wing. It is a debut game for both Frizzel and Nabura.

Head Coach, Aaron Mauger, expects a tough game “the Stormers are a big side so we expect a physical encounter, they are also a dangerous team with ball in hand in open spaces, so we are well aware of those threats and have prepared to meet those challenges.  Of course for our team it’s another opportunity to put a good performance together at home for our people; we will certainly be working hard to do just that”.

[mariner4life]

wait, Richard Buckman has a neck?

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/102101126/highlanders-lose-flanker-elliot-dixon-to-concussion-ahead-of-stormers-clash

[Stargazer]

I thought Dan Pryor was going to take Dixon's spot on the bench, but Sky has Marino Mikaele-Tu'u on its list. Wow.

[Stockcar86]

@stargazer said in Highlanders vs Stormers:

I thought Dan Pryor was going to take Dixon's spot on the bench, but Sky has Marino Mikaele-Tu'u on its list. Wow.

Pryor injured

[Stockcar86]

Has Luke Whitelock bulked up in offseason?

[Stargazer]

@stockcar86 Awesome if Marino gets to make his SR debut! Falcon last week.

Makes me all the more pissed off at the Canes though. You can guess why.

[gt12]

Landers have been terrible with their passing and handling. Paid for it there.

5-12.

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Yes, after that quick first try, I thought it would be a similar game to Crusaders v Stormers. Now, I'm not so sure.

[Stargazer]

Yusss, try time!

[Stargazer]

Oh ffs, interviewing the coach during the game?

[Stockcar86]

Highlanders might be in trouble with a video ref referral for a tip on a Stormer at a ruck

[Stockcar86]

@stockcar86 said in Highlanders vs Stormers:

Highlanders might be in trouble with a video ref referral for a tip on a Stormer at a ruck

Or not, get away with what you can I guess

[gt12]

who Is this fucking muppet in 11 for the landers? Fuck he’s useless.

[Gunner]

Highlanders could do with some ball

[gt12]

This looks silly, he’s bringing his left arm around. No YC here.

[gt12]

@gt12

And no YC.

Stormers looking good and it’s 12-15.

[gt12]

Great try landers.

The stormers kick chase not quite good enough that time and Naholo makes a nice catch.

19-15

[Stockcar86]

I sense the Stormers will run out of steam in the second half

[gt12]

I think Walden blew a try chance there.