Shane Christie
Shane Christie will captain the Highlanders as they complete their two-match preseason tour of Australia – against the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on Thursday.
Looking for their third win of the pre-season, the Highlanders will again employ a squad of 28 for the match.
Fumiaka Tanaka will rejoin the Highlanders for his first pre-season game, after meeting the team in Melbourne on his way back to New Zealand – following the completion of the Japanese Top League.
Highlanders: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Teihorangi Walden, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Josh Renton, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Shane Christie (Captain), 6 Dan Pryor, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements – from: Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Pingi Ta’alapitaga, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Gareth Evans, John Hardie, Nasi Manu, Fumiaka Tanaka, Marty Banks, Michael Collins, Ryan Tongia, Trent Renata.
Date: Thursday 5 February
Venue: Harlequin club, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 18:30 AEDT (07:30 GMT, 09:30 SA Time, 20:30 NZ Time)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Oliver Kellett, Shannon McLachlan (Australia)
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