Highlanders v Waratahs
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Highlanders assistant coach Riki Flutey and form midfielder Scott Gregory are both wary of the high-scoring Waratahs before their meeting in Dunedin on Saturday, a game they may need to win without the services of Shannon Frizell.
The All Blacks flanker left the field in the final seconds of the Highlanders’ win against the Rebels in Sydney on Sunday, and although it did not appear too serious Flutey said on Tuesday that Frizell’s availability was uncertain.
“Shannon injured his ankle from the kickoff [after the Rebels’ late try] so I’m not to sure where he is in and around that,” Flutey said.
The Highlanders are likely to give Frizell every chance to play, but the quick turnaround from Sunday’s game means they may have to shift Hugh Renton to No 6, with Kazuki Himeno starting in the No 8 jersey.Fullback/wing Sam Gilbert will be available for the Highlanders after missing the past two matches with a hamstring issue.
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@stargazer i seriously wonder if we might start Gilbert at 15, ioane looked a bit out of position and not known for his great defence which could be important
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last time we played the Tahs we started Whitelock, Hemepo, Walden, thompson, Naholo, Li and Mckay
both have very much different teams
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Harmon, Lentjes and Himeno is a pretty dangerous loose trio
No aaron smith, is this an AB rest thing? wonder if they're just not expecting as quick a ball through hammington and so have gone for a more mobile trio
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@kiwiwomble Probably the same as the Crusaders having to rest Mo'unga (and other teams having to rest players with a lot of minutes on the clock). Although there are no All Blacks rest protocols this year, they still have to take care of player welfare.
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@kiwimurph said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
James Arscott
Otago Boys, Otago NPC, believe he's trained with the squad all season so should be up to speed
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@kiwimurph Played one game for Otago in 2019 and 7 in 2020; all off the bench (a total of 97 minutes).
Was listed for the first NZU20s camp in Christchurch in December 2019 and was named among the trialists for the March 2020 camp.
So he's very, very green.
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@Stargazer @Kiwiwomble thanks! Will be good to see how he goes - hopefully he gets a few minutes.
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@kiwimurph said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
@Stargazer @Kiwiwomble thanks! Will be good to see how he goes - hopefully he gets a few minutes.
yeah, hes got some games for the Bravehearts too so think he's up to 20mins at the end
edit: he should also be comfortable with that backline including Collins, Ioane, Nareki Sio etc
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@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
No aaron smith, is this an AB rest thing?
More of a "let's only win by 30" thing.
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@nta no jinxing allowed! this will be close!
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@kiwiwomble bullshit. It'll be another towelling. And you all know it!
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@stargazer said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
@kiwiwomble Probably the same as the Crusaders having to rest Mo'unga (and other teams having to rest players with a lot of minutes on the clock). Although there are no All Blacks rest protocols this year, they still have to take care of player welfare.
Crusaders article mentioned ABs max 4 games in a row, SRA was ok cos of bye, TT not. Could be bollox though.
Edit. Yup bollox cos jordie is starting his 12th in a row for canes
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@tim said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
@kiwimurph said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
What's the story on James Arscott?
He has a funny name.
This will be fun for the commentators:
Arscott pumped by______
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@machpants said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
@stargazer said in Highlanders v Waratahs:
@kiwiwomble Probably the same as the Crusaders having to rest Mo'unga (and other teams having to rest players with a lot of minutes on the clock). Although there are no All Blacks rest protocols this year, they still have to take care of player welfare.
Crusaders article mentioned ABs max 4 games in a row, SRA was ok cos of bye, TT not. Could be bollox though.
Edit. Yup bollox cos jordie is starting his 12th in a row for canes
Ah hah, but it could still be right then...
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