Saunders replaces unlucky Mulipola

Former Otago representative Matt Saunders will replace injured wing Lucky Mulipola in the Highlanders squad for the remainder of the Super 14 season.

Former Otago representative Matt Saunders will replace injured wing Lucky Mulipola in the Highlanders squad for the remainder of the Super 14 season.

Saunders has been drafted in from the Highlanders wider training group and has been training with the Highlanders for the past two weeks.

He was officially drafted into the squad on Monday, with Highlanders coach Glenn Moore saying Saunders offered experience.

“Matt it is an experienced player at this level,” said Moore.

“He knows the Highlanders environment well and will fit into the squad.”

Mulipola was ruled out for the season after breaking an arm against the Reds in round one last month.

The decision on a replacement for loose forward Ezra Taylor, who is also out for the season because of a knee injury, will be made before the Highlanders depart for South Africa.

The Highlanders' bad run of injuries show no sign of ending with loose forwards Steven Setephano and Alando Soakai both sidelined for at least a fortnight.

The team's sixth consecutive loss, against the Chiefs last Saturday, came at a cost because Setephano suffered a calf injury and Soakai had his nose broken.