Highlanders v Force

[Kiwiwomble]

@Duluth makes it tough if you're doing a tipping comp!

[SouthernMann]

Ethan de Groot
Andrew Makalio
Jermaine Ainsley
Fabian Holland
Josh Bekhuis
Shannon Frizell
Billy Harmon (C)
Hugh Renton
Aaron Smith
Mitch Hunt
Jonah Lowe
Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Josh Timu
Martin Bogado
Sam Gilbert
Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall 17. Ayden Johnstone 18. P.J.Sheck 19. Max Hicks 20. James Lentjes 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Cameron Millar 23. Connor Garden-Bachop

[Kiwiwomble]

going for it, effectively full strength, cant help but wonder why CGB isn't starting at 14

[Duluth]

Not Available due to injury: Vili Koroi (knee) Marty Banks (groin) Jona Nareki (foot) Marino Mikaele Tu’u (ribs) Scott Gregory (knee) Jeff Thwaites (back) Will Tucker (groin) Saula Ma’u (chest) Freddie Burns (knee) Josh Dickson (illness) Paripari Parkinson (Concussion) Mosese Dawai (knee)

[Grooter]

@SouthernMann obviously lots of injuries at lock, happy Timu is back especially after Paea missed 8 tackles

[Duluth]

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Force:

Josh Bekhuis

Good to see Bekhuis get a run. He's 36 now

Here's the Highlanders side he debuted with in 2009 (v Tahs):

Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark (captain), Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Sean Romans, Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, David Hall, Chris King.
Replacements: Jason Rutledge, Anthony Perenise, George Naoupu, Tim Boys, Scott Cowan, Mathew Berquist, Kendrick Lynn

[SouthernMann]

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Highlanders v Force:

@SouthernMann obviously lots of injuries at lock, happy Timu is back especially after Paea missed 8 tackles

Paea has to be the worst player in NZ super squads.

[Machpants]

Highlanders by heaps

[Bovidae]

Select every fit Southlander!

[Stargazer]

Highlanders media release:

Highlanders Named to Play Force in Invercargill | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

Sunday afternoon rugby makes a rare appearance on the Highlanders calendar with a game against the Western Force in Invercargill. Head Coach Clarke Dermody has brought Andrew Makalio back into the front row for the important clash.

[Tim]

Can an NPC team beat an Australian Super Rugby team?

[Kiwiwomble]

@Tim taking swipes when we're down? thats low bro

[Tim]

@Kiwiwomble Well, with all those locks out this is more of a second choice Highlanders team.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Tim definitely when it comes to locks...but thats a first choice front row and flankers...probably all but one wing of the backline too.....

[Stargazer]

@Kiwiwomble I'd say Mikaele-Tu'u is the first choice no. 8; not Renton.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Stargazer ...yeah, thats why i just said flankers

[Bones]

Pretty happy with that, bench especially stands out as pretty strong, relatively.

But fucking hell, I know every coach has their blind spot players, why does ours have to be Hunt?

[Dan54]

Shit Frizzel out during warm up!!

[Mattasaurus]

@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Force:

Shit Frizzel out during warm up!!

they're going to miss him....

[Duluth]

Sean Withy comes straight into the starting xv