Moore shows his hand
New Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has revealed his new-look team, to play the Reds in the opening round of the Super 14, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.
New Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has revealed his new-look team, to play the Reds in the opening round of the Super 14, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.
Moore, who took over from Greg Cooper, are still without several injured players – captain Craig Newby, Hoani MacDonald and Aaron Bancroft.
In the absence of Newby, who is not expected to feature till midway through the season, hooker Jason Macdonald will lead the Highlanders' charge.
However, it is the names, from last year, that are missing – rather than those included – that make for the most interesting reading.
Gone is veteran captain and hooker Anton Oliver, the most-capped New Zealand player in the history of Super Rugby. He is now playing for Toulon in the French Second Division.
Also missing from the first team sheet are the names of veteran All Black prop Carl Hayman (Newcastle, England), injured and possibly set to retire All Black lock James Ryan, All Black prop Clarke Dermody (London Irish), veteran lock Filipo Levi (Ricoh, Japan), outstanding flanker Josh Blackie (Kobe Steel, Japan) and Nick Evans (Blues).
It is obvious Moore had to do some serious rebuilding and in the process he also axed stalwarts like Charlie Hore and Matt Saunders.
Tom Donnelly is fit again and partners Isaac Ross in a revamped second row.
Jamie Mackintosh and Clint Newland, both 1.9m and 130kg props, take over from the All Black veterans – Hayman and Dermody. Macdonald might not have Oliver's pedigree, but he will no doubt lead by example at hooker.
Loose forward Steven Setephano (No.8), along with flanks Alando Soakai and Hayden Triggs are not names that immediately jump out at you, but they do have a chance to make their mark.
In the backline the only regulars from last year are scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan and wing Lucky Mulipola.
Daniel Bowden is a genuinely exciting recruit for the Highlanders, but the departure of Evans to the Blues has left a huge gap at No.10.
Outside him Johnny Leota, Niva Ta'auso and Brett Mather should create a little more punch in midfield, Mulipola developed well last year, Paul Williams is fit and eager to prove he is no one-season wonder, and James Wilson continues to develop.
Highlanders: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan (vice-captain), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Hayden Triggs, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Isaac Ross, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Macdonald (captain), 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Chris King, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Brett Mather
Date: Friday, February 15
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.05 (09.05 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Pro Legoete (South Africa), Geoff Acton (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)