Sharks v Highlanders

Stargazer

Highlanders

1 Aki Seiuli, 2 Liam Coltman, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Alex Ainley, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Dillon Hunt, 8 Luke Whitelock
9 Aaron Smith, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 11 Patelesio Tomkinson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Rob Thompson, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Ben Smith (CC)

Reserves
16 Ash Dixon (CC), 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Jackon Hemopo, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Matt Faddes/Josh McKay

Unavailable due to injury: Thomas Umaga-Jensen (shoulder), Richard Buckman (neck), Liam Squire (thumb) Siate Tokolahi (knee), Tevita Li (foot)

Highlanders Named For Second Game in South Africa Against The Sharks

The Pulse Energy Highlanders continue their South African tour with a game against the Sharks in Durban after a dramatic full-time kick to win against the Bulls last week.

The Highlanders will not want to leave it so late this week. Head Coach, Aaron Mauger has made only a couple of changes to his starting side with Aki Seiuli trading places with Daniel Lienert-Brown and Elliot Dixon making way for Shannon Frizell.

In the backs, Waisake Naholo, returns to the wing where he will partner with Ben Smith who returns to fullback and young utility back, Patelesio Tomkinson. Josh Ioane makes the playing 23 for only the second time and there is a bracket with  Matt Faddes suffering a training injury to his ankle and is in a race against time to be fit for the match. Josh McKay has flown in to replace the injured Tevita Li and will take Faddes place on the bench if he is ruled out.

“We know the Sharks recently had a good tour of Australia and New Zealand where they played some great rugby so they will present plenty of threats on Saturday. Our guys have really embraced the tour so far and we have enjoyed each other’s company and have worked hard at getting our game to the level it needs to be each week” said Mauger

Ash Dixon and Daniel Lienert-Brown will both play their 50th games for the Highlanders this week.

SammyC

Sharks at $2.70 is pretty good money I reckon

Bovidae

Has A Smith had his mandatory rest yet? Even in the Blues game he was on the bench.

Mauger might be doing some juggling for his ABs in the next month.

Stargazer

Geez, where was the Landers' defence? Sopoaga not catching that high ball shouldn't have to result in a Sharks try from where that happened?

7-0 Sharks

Stargazer

Wow, almost a 2nd try for the Sharks. Knock-on.

Stargazer

Not Sopoaga's night. Now, he can't prevent the 2nd try. Defence looks disorganised.

Bones

Pretty funny what should have been sharks second try with the 12 running directly at Naholo on the line with open spaces either side. Tough guy failed.

Stargazer

I don't like what Aaron Smith did there to milk the penalty.

Stargazer

Try Dillon Hunt after a driving maul. That's more like it!

14 - 7 Sharks

Bones

@stargazer said in Sharks v Highlanders:

I don't like what Aaron Smith did there to milk the penalty.

I don't have a problem with it when the guy is directly in the way and making no attempt to get out of the way. He was in the perfect spot to obstruct, then sat up and put his arms in the air! If he's trying to get out of the way it's much easier to just roll, right?

Bones

Sopoaga looking like he's got one foot on the plane.

Bones

How was that not a highlander tackled without the ball?

Bones

That is a red card every day of the week. Even got to have three looks at it. Awful refereeing.

Stargazer

Thank God, that first half is over and no cards. Never trust SA TMO's when something like that happens.

Stargazer

@bones What was a red card. I didn't see anything worth a card?

Stargazer

Looked like there was a forward pass in there.

Stargazer

Forward pass.

Stargazer

But try given. Sharks lead 24 - 7.

Bones

@stargazer said in Sharks v Highlanders:

@bones What was a red card. I didn't see anything worth a card?

Shark player bowling in with an elbow to the head of the player prone in the ruck. Think he scored Tomkinsons head.

Stargazer

@bones Hmm, I saw the movement, but didn't think he hit someone (but I may be wrong).

The Silver Fern

Sharks v Highlanders