Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has called in a 35-year-old hooker and a 34-year-old back as injury cover ahead of Friday's match with the Chiefs.
Southland veteran Jason Rutledge, and former Otago centre Neil Brew will link up with the squad who are winless after three games.
Captain and hooker Andrew Hore popped a rib cartilage during last weekend's loss to the Hurricanes, and his replacement Brayden Mitchell broke a collarbone in the closing minutes.
Rutledge, who was with the Hurricanes last week as the Wellington side were also experiencing a hooking crisis, joins third-choice rake Liam Coltman in the Highlanders squad.
Brew last played for the Highlanders in 2006 and will get a run for the Highlanders Development team against Fiji Warriors at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Comments
ferdie says...
Highlanders will continue to struggle - their catchment (305,000 people) represents just 6.5% of NZ's population - drawing local players from two of the ITM's second division sides Southland and Otago, plus Heartland (3rd) div Nth Otago.
Combination of low finances and results will, if one NZ franchise ever gets cut, see them as first to go.
Posted 03:17 20th March 2013
kenzo says...
@george smith
What a poor question, course nz does, but your question should be aimed at otago and yes they do have upcomers. If you even watched the canes game you would of seen them blood tj ioane, jason emery (manawatu but still young and upcoming)and buxton popoalii. All upcomers, there are others still but theyre too young. Its the experienced players getting injured thats the pronlem here.
Posted 03:22 19th March 2013
Trader2 says...
I used to thought it was just the Wannabies that get injured all the time, the Highlanders must have been drinking the same water. Seriously all these injuries, they cannot be "real" southern men. No seriously!
Posted 13:44 18th March 2013
jestnation says...
Coltman impressed me for the Baby Backs a few years back and it would be nice to see him get a run.
Posted 13:39 18th March 2013
startledwombat says...
The Highlanders' annual injury crisis has come around early this year, alas.
Posted 11:28 18th March 2013
georgesmith says...
Is New Zealand facing a shortage of young and upcoming players.
Posted 10:28 18th March 2013