Speight’s Highlanders to play the Chiefs

Speight’s Highlanders Head Coach, Tony Brown, has made several changes to his side to play the resurgent Chiefs on Saturday night in Dunedin. In the forwards, Josh Hohneck rotates with Siate Tokolahi and James Lentjes with Billy Harmon. Kazuki Himeno maintains his spot at number eight after an energetic performance against the Crusaders. The evergreen, Bryn Evans, will lock the scrum with Pari Pari Parkinson and Hugh Renton will again be the sixth forward on the reserves bench.

In the backs, Aaron Smith will co-captain the side and his back up at halfback will be Kayne Hammington who replaces the unlucky Folau Fakatava. Scott Gregory who had a solid performance on the wing last week will move to the midfield to replace the injured Thomas Umaga-Jensen and he will be partnered by Patelesio Tomkinson at centre. Ngatugnane Punivai is over his hamstring issue and takes his place on the right wing and Josh Ioane returns to the reserves.

Highlanders v Chiefs - 7.05pm, Saturday 10^th April, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

1.   Ethan De Groot

2.   Ash Dixon (cc)

3.   Josh Hohneck

4.   Bryn Evans

5.   Paripari Parkinson

6.   Shannon Frizell

7.   James Lentjes

8.   Kazuki Himeno   

9.   Aaron Smith (cc)

10. Mitch Hunt

11  Jona Nareki

12. Scott Gregory

13. Patelesio Tomkinson

14. Ngatungane Punivai

15. Connor Garden-Bachop

RESERVES

16. Liam Coltman

17. Ayden Johnstone

18. Siate Tokolahi

19. Josh Dickson

20. Billy Harmon

21. Kayne Hammington

22. Josh Ioane

23. Hugh Renton

Unavailable due to injury: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Arm)

Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vaahakalo (foot), Folau Fakatava (knee), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist)