Highlanders named to play Blues at Eden Park

The last round robin game of the season has plenty riding on it as the Highlanders head north to Auckland to take on the Blues for the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy. A win would seal a place in the top eight play-offs while a loss would mean relying on other results to go their way.

Head Coach Clarke Dermody has kept faith with the players that produced a pulsating win over the Queensland Reds. The only change being Scott Gregory comes onto the right wing as Jonah Lowe falls out of the 23 and Fetuli Paea joins the substitutes.

Centre, Matt Whaanga, a last-minute replacement against the Reds, retains his place alongside goal-kicking phenomenon Sam Gilbert who is currently kicking at around 88% from the tee. Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava will again be looking to provide the one-two punch at halfback while Freddie Burns will start his third match in succession at first-five and Mitch Hunt will again start at fullback.

The well performed front row of De Groot, Makalio and Ainsley will look to apply pressure through the scrum and there are plenty of good loose forward options both starting and on the bench.

Blues v Highlanders – 7.05pm, Friday 2^nd June, Eden Park, Auckland

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Andrew Makalio
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Max Hicks
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Billy Harmon (C)
8. Hugh Renton
9. Aaron Smith
10. Freddie Burns
11. Jona Nareki
12. Sam Gilbert
13. Matt Whaanga
14. Scott Gregory
15. Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16. Rhys Marshall 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Saula Ma’u 19. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 20. Sean Withy 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Connor Garden-Bachop 23. Fetuli Paea

Not Available due to injury: Vili Koroi (knee) Luca Inch (thumb) Marty Banks (groin) Jeff Thwaites (back) Josh Timu (ankle) Jake Te Hiwi (ankle) Fabian Holland (hamstring) Josh Dickson (personal) Martin Bogado (leg) James Lentjes (shoulder) Thomas Umaga-Jensen (calf)

ENDS