Highlanders
43
Match Complete
Western Force
35
| 82 |  | O. Callan | ||
| 79 | | S. Amone | ||
| S. Gilbert |  | 77 | ||
| H. Renton | | 76 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 71 | ||
| J. Lowe | | 70 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 61 | ||
| S. Withy | | 60 | ||
| 52 | | B. Kuenzle | ||
| 51 | | B. Hegarty | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 48 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 47 | ||
| 43 | | T. Horton | ||
| M. Hunt | | 39 | ||
| 36 | | B. Hegarty | ||
| 35 | | Z. Kibirige | ||
| S. Gilbert |  | 27 | ||
| S. Gilbert | | 15 | ||
| J. Lowe | | 14 | ||
| 12 | | B. Hegarty | ||
| 5 | | B. Hegarty |
| 6 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Western Force head across the Tasman looking for their third win of the season, and continue the Highlanders’ horrific start to the season. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 1:35pm (AEDT).
Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a has passed HIA protocols and is fit to start for the Force, as Michael Wells also returns after a concussion.
Wells replaces Tim Anstee, who starts on the bench, in one of five changes to the XV.
Lock Ryan McCauley starts, pairing up with Jeremy Williams. Gareth Simpson will make his Super Rugby debut on Sunday, starting at No.9. The 25-year-old has been training with the Force for the past two months havng previously played for Worcester Warriors and Saracens. He is on loan to the Force and will return to Saracens at the end of this season. Fellow English recruit Zach Kibirige returns to the wing after resting his hamstring last match.
SioSifa Amone will play as number 18 after a SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing reduced his Red Card from last Saturdays’s match to a warning.
Mitch Hunt has retained the No.10 jersey for the Highlanders despite being forced off in last week’s loss to the Chiefs.
Rookie Cam Millar is poised for his debut off the bench, replacing Freddie Burns, who played at fullback last week, as the Highlanders welcome back five players from injury and All Blacks rotation.
Captain Billy Harmon, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert and Josh Timu start, and Folau Fakatava is on the bench.
Argentina winger Martin Bogado starts on the wing. In the forwards lock Fabian Holland replaces Pari Pari Parkinson who suffered concussion.
Game information
Venue: Invercargill Rugby Park
Kick-off: 1:35pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Highlanders $1.09, Force $7.00 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Cam Millar, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Ryan McCauley, Michael Wells, Ollie Callan, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, Toni Pulu, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia.
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u/Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman, Manasa Mataele.
Referee: Angus Mabey.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
They all do it soapit. As well as holding on to players at the back of the ruck.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
A near full strength Clan would be a fair chance to beat the Brumbies at Forsyth Barr, certainly would be good enough to beat the Rebels. The team that played yesterday was patched up and put together with whoever was left standing, but still good enought to beat the Force.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Arguably worse Ken.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
But the Reds didn’t do any better.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Moment of the match!
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Easier when it's fun! Thanks John - this punter appreciated it.
Faith
Roar Rookie
I think once the Clan gets humiliated by Brumbies or even Rebels NZR will sit up and take notice ...don't they usually intervene when things are not working ... they did this once when even Maa went there even if it didn't work ... who's the attack coach now? I saw that Bender was part of the coaching set up ...
John Ferguson
Expert
Thanks mate!
Bluesfan
Yip 100% - Crusaders and Blues do seem to warehouse players and don't think it help's NZ rugby. That being said - Chiefs and Hurricanes look to be also building some serious depth and the U20 tournament (being played this week) seems to be about building decent depth and to assist in Junior U20 AB Program.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Not even playing club rugby as that has not started yet. NZ Rugby needs a serious rethink about its structure and ditch the Boston Report which placed ABs as the only thing that mattered.
Faith
Roar Rookie
That's how the Hansens and other Kiwis are ending up in Ireland.
Faith
Roar Rookie
NZR need to step in here. Players like Zarn Sullivan are barely playing over a season. I don't have Blues and Crusaders being 2 players deep but 3 and even 4 in some positions when the Clan is starting with NPC level when even their starters in key positions would be the 3rd choice for Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs is not a good look. It doesn't benefit players and NZ rugby ...
Bluesfan
100% agreement - Blues A also had M Renata, Ekland, Rob Rush, Anton Segner in their pack - Don't see how it benefits NZ Rugby when the Blues A team that they rolled out yesterday would probaby finish mid table in Super rugby and that's not withstanding the Blues U20 side that played today that looked packed full of future stars.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Been a lot of talk about these young players down here but we will see what quality they are soon enough. I do think some sort of minor level draft is needed for Super Rugby here. It does NZ rugby no good if quality players are not even on the bench and then disappear overseas. Direct contracting has ruined the excitement of the NPC leading to Super selection.
piru
Roar Rookie
Thanks very much boss, great job
Bluesfan
Think the Highlanders have some of the best up and coming u20's signed up - but that will take a year or two to pay off. Popped down to the Eden Rugby club yesterday as they had the Blues A vs Chiefs A playing - Blues A had Harry Plummer at 10 and a number of other experienced Super players (AJ Lam, Corey Evans etc) Really is an example of Blues (and Crusaders) having an embarrassment in general squad depth vs likes of Highlanders. I mean the Blues A had around 3 players in the backline who would walk into a lot of Super teams.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
No offence to either team, but it looked like another comp division.
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Yes, they are not quite Super level but it is largely confidence which the coaches must take some blame for. They had patches of quality play from a heavily disrupted team. Hopefully they will start to click from now on. The Force had something till Hegarty went off. 2 big games in a row from Renton which might make it hard for MMT to get his starter jersey back if he carries on like this. Btw can he have AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan etc who don’t seem to be needed that much up north.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Thanks John. Hope it wasn't too full on!
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yeah. That pretty much sums up the day for the Force. A game of lost opportunity due to lack of finish. That lack of bonus point will come back to haunt them.