Speight’s Highlanders to play the Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final

The Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman series reaches its conclusion this weekend at the home of the Blues, Eden Park. 

Both finalists almost took maximum points from the five round competition and will enter the final off the back of good runs of form. Highlander’s management have kept faith with the team that has produced the results over the last few weeks and both players with injury concerns, Pari Pari Parkinson and Jona Nareki have been included.

Team co-captain, Ash Dixon, will play his 100th game for the Highlanders having made his debut in 2015 after a few seasons with the Hurricanes. The inspirational leader was named captain of the NZ Maori this week.

Blues vs Highlanders - 7.05pm NZT, Saturday 19 June, Eden Park, Auckland

1.   Ethan De Groot
2.   Ash Dixon (cc)
3.   Siate Tokolahi
4.   Pari Pari Parkinson
5.   Bryn Evans
6.   Hugh Renton
7.   Billy Harmon
8.   Kazuki Himeno
9.   Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Mitch Hunt
11  Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Josh Ioane

Reserves
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Josh Dickson
20. James Lentjes
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Sam Gilbert
23. Teariki Ben-Nicholas

Unavailable due to injury: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vahaakalo (foot), Folau Fakatava (knee), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist), Connor Garden-Bachop (hand), Liam Squire (knee), Marino Mikaele Tu’u (leg), Caleb Makene (leg), Josh Timu (ankle), Saula Mau (knee), Shannon Frizell (ankle).

ENDS