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HIGHLANDERS TEAM TO PLAY THE FIJIAN DRUA
9 April 2025
Sweeping changes have been made for the Highlanders with nine changes to their starting fifteen to play the Fijian Drua on Saturday night.
After an arduous Australian tour that netted no wins for the Highlanders, Head Coach Jamie Joseph has taken the opportunity to bring back several key players from injury and freshen the team with some new faces.
Star fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens returns after a long break rehabbing a neck injury sustained in last year’s NPC, while mercurial halfback Folau Fakatava is recovered from his hamstring injury and co-captain Hugh Renton is back at number eight with Nikora Broughton on the bench.
Injuries to hooker Soane Vikena, hard working lock Mitch Dunshea and flying winger Caleb Tangitau has provided debut opportunities for Manawatu winger Taniela Filimone, Waikato lock/loosie Tai Cribb and a return at hooker for Henry Bell.
As the close losses start to mount for the Highlanders, Head Coach Jamie Joseph is aware of the urgent need to start picking up points.
“A tough tour to Australia in terms of results but the players are glad to be back in Dunedin with a few home games to look forward to. We are five points outside the top six now, so everyone is clear on the challenge in front of us. The execution of our game plan has been off over the last few games, but I know this team never stops working and I expect them to give it everything against the Drua on Saturday”.
Highlanders v Fijian Drua – 7.05pm Saturday 12 April, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Starting XV
- Ethan de Groot
- Henry Bell
- Sosefo Kautai
- Will Stodart
- Fabian Holland
- 6. Oliver Haig
- Veveni Lasaqa
- Hugh Renton (CC)
- Folau Fakatava
- Cameron Millar
- Jona Nareki
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC)
- Thomas Umaga-Jensen
- Taniela Filimone (Debut)
- Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Impacts: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma’u, 19. Tai Cribb (Potential debut), 20. Nikora Broughton, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Tanielu Tele’a
Injury update: Finn Hurley (Quad / Season End), Hayden Michaels (Hamstring / TBC), Soane Vikena (AC Joint / 1-2 weeks), TK Howden (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks), Mitch Dunshea (Knee / 1-2 weeks), Caleb Tangitau (Groin 1-2 weeks)
Suspended: Sean Withy (3 weeks with permission to apply to take part in World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction).
ENDS
