Highlanders
35
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
30
| F. Burns |  | 78 | ||
| F. Fakatava |  | 77 | ||
| 72 |  | T. Lynagh | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 68 | ||
| C. Garden-Bachop | | 66 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 59 | ||
| S. Mau | | 58 | ||
| 56 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 43 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 38 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 37 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 27 | ||
| H. Renton | | 26 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 17 | ||
| J. Nareki | | 16 | ||
| 12 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 11 | | J. Upfield | ||
| 8 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 7 | | L. Wright |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Queensland Reds look to claim victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the first time since 2013 and keep their finals hopes ticking. Join The Roar for live updates from 5.00pm AEST.
The ninth-placed Highlanders are looking at a tight finish to make the top eight, with the Force only three points ahead in eighth and the Reds another point above in seventh.
Reds coach Brad Thorn has made six changes to the starting XV who lost to the Blues last week. Hunter Paisami makes his return to the bench, recovering from a knee injury in Round 5. James O’Connor is back from the concussion he suffered and reprises the No.12 role. Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr form a new-look front row combination. Angus Blyth and Connor Vest start as locks for the third straight match.
The powerful Harry Wilson is back in the starting side, after a couple games on the bench. Seru Uru will act as backup to Wilson off the bench. Tom Lynagh runs on at No.10 for the first time since Round 3 as Lawson Creighton drops to the bench. Filipo Daugunu is ruled out with a foot injury and so winger Mac Grealy comes in at the left wing.
The Highlanders have made three changes to their starting lineup, following the last gasp win against the Rebels last week. Shannon Frizell moves into the back row again as Pari Pari Parkinson takes up one half of the second row. This forces Sean Withy to the bench. Fetuli Paea is out, meaning that Matt Whaanga is on for a debut at No.13 after Thomas Umaga-Jensen was withdrawn because of injury. Connor Garden-Bachop heads to the bench and Mitch Hunt is promoted from the bench to start at fullback.
Friday marks an important night for the Highlanders franchise as they say goodbye to Aaron Smith after 12 years. The veteran is the team’s most capped player with this weekend’s game being his 184th appearance. The legendary No.9 helped his team win the 2015 Super Rugby title.
“It’s sad but it’s exciting as well with the opportunity we have as a team,” Smith said. “I owe this place a lot. I owe Dunedin a lot. I owe the Highlanders a lot. I’ve got a lot of special moments on this field.
“I would just love nothing more than just a win this weekend, to be honest.”
Game Information
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Kick-off: 5:05 (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Highlanders $1.42, Reds $2.90 – odds via Playup
Teams
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan De Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Freddie Burns, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Matt Whaanga, Jonah Lowe, Mitch Hunt.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dan Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Connor Garden-Bachop, Scott Gregory.
Reds (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Mac Grealy, James O’Connor, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Sef Fa’agase, Jake Upfield, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Hunter Paisami.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill.
Dasher
Roar Guru
I watched it again. Absolutely zero replays. The guy is on the ground getting attention to his head and neck. Very unprofessional from the hosts
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Agreed, may have been a different game has everyone stayed healthy. Kalani Thomas isn’t SR standard imo and the reds suffered as a result
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
But when they do mistakes have been made ..have you ever ref a rugby game
Ash
Roar Rookie
No, they didn’t even use the TMO.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I saw no contact with knees to Wright’s arm. One angle suggests it, but it is a poor angle that masks the truth.
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
Yes that my point .. you never get 100 percent consistent calls in game of rugby . That why the bunker is not 100 percent ..or the tmo ., it’s called schemes .. you have can 56 people in a room watching the same thing you will get 20 different views
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Similar feelings TC. An honest team.
Ash
Roar Rookie
Like the breakdown, scrums, no advantage from a knock on 5 meters out. Dodgy forward passes and knock ons leading to a try.
Ash
Roar Rookie
Ah ha. You can’t adapt to inconsistency.
FrancisF
Roar Pro
Never give EXCUSES for loss. Injuries in a collision sport is par for the course. You don’t hear that from coaches. That goes for armchair coaches sitting in front of the TV You prepare your team for potential injuries long before the game starts. That is why the code has 8 replacements on the bench. In rugby, you respect your opponent team by not giving excuses why you lost.
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
The ref will always be part of the game . That is sport ..there never be perfect match ref .. especially in rugby ..the best teams just adapt ..and win ..
HiKa
Roar Rookie
The reason Vest went down so fast was the no-arms "grass cutter" tackle by the Highlanders' hooker. That is what caused the unsafe contact.
Locke
Roar Rookie
What controversial decisions went against the Reds?
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s corrupt :shocked: can’t allow Australian teams to win at any cost. It’s been that way since the wallabies last won the Bledisloe. Should complain to world rugby about the Nz refs.. it’s not fair. Maybe 107/122 tackles. Could try tackling at 100% for a start. Have the perfect game.. then complain
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And I know fatigue is a factor but that's so disappointing
jameswm
Roar Guru
McReight went the wrong side
jameswm
Roar Guru
I thought there was little attack once Thomas came on
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah, but get a run wrong, the oppo pounces and wins a penalty, and kicks it.
Just call me Campo
Roar Rookie
All the best to Aaron Smith - whag a player. His replacement t goes alright, too. The Reds were robbed tonight partly by a couple of very poor decisions, then by Lynagh's rubbish kicking then by that genius, Hunter P. Looked like he ust have had a wager on the outcome that knock-on was so unbelievably poor. So hard to stomach all that
jameswm
Roar Guru
"Direct contact to Vests head with the shoulder resulting in him being taken off concussed and they didn’t check it". Oddly enough the local broadcaster didn't show what happened.