DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 27: Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders touches down for a try during the round three Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 27, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)
Naholo returns to give Brad Thorn’s Reds a baptism of fire
All Black wing Waisake Naholo headlines the big names returning to the Highlanders XV for the visit of the Reds who get their first taste of the action in 2019.
DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND – FEBRUARY 27: Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders touches down for a try during the round three Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 27, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)
Waisake Naholo’s return headlines three changes to the Highlanders backline for their second match of the 2019 Super Rugby season against the Queensland Reds.
The Reds were granted a first round bye but face a mammoth test in their season opener as they travel to the glasshouse to take on a side fresh of a important win.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen makes way for Teihorangi Walden in the Highlanders midfield while at halfback Aaron Smith comes up into the starting lineup while Kayne Hammington drops to the bench.
Last week’s starting flankers Jimmy Lentjes and Jackson Hemopo drop out their positions with All Blacks Shannon Frizell and Dillon Hunt coming into the starting XV. Lentjes is out of the squad while Hemopo has been moved to lock.
Frizell helped turn the game around for the Highlanders against the Chiefs and there is a sense that this is the hosts ‘A’ Team.
The man who will be tasked with matching up with Naholo will be Wallaby Sefa Naivalu drafted in from the Rebels.
At the back for the Reds Bryce Hegarty’s rugby journey has brought him back to Brisbane, the city of his birth and the place he got his start in the game. Hegarty made 33 appearances for the Rebels before moving to the Waratahs in 2016 but he has struggled for game-time in New South Wales and will be looking to establish himself at the Reds.
Young Highlanders flyhalf Josh Ioane is given another run after his calm display under pressure in the opening game of the season. Ioane was great from the tee and good in open play, he worked extensively with Lima Sopoaga to prepare to take over the ten jersey and looks a good fit.
Across from him is another young man hoping to impress in 20-year-old Toowoomba native Hamish Stewart.
Pari-pari Parkinson made a terrific start to the season with a superb carry to score the Highlanders first try but he is absent as the team looks to field a more mobile pack.
The Reds have been perennial Super Rugby strugglers for some time and though the arrival of Brad Thorn as coach has brought some optimism he will need time to mould these into a competitive unit. This first game will likely give the Reds a blunt assessment of their abilities and show them where they are lacking.
The Highlanders lock horns with the Reds in the weekend’s first fixture with kick-off scheduled for 08:35 SAST.
Super Rugby squads Highlanders vs Reds
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (cc), 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Matt Faddes
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi (c), 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Feao Fotuaika
Subs: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas
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