Highlanders coach, Jamie Joseph, has named South African journeyman Ross Geldenhuys at tighthead for the big South Island clash against the Crusaders on Saturday.
Geldenhuys is 1 of 7 debutants for the Highlanders who had a BYE in Round 1 of Super Rugby.
As with last season the team will be co-captained by Nasi Manu and Ben Smith.
Joseph has selected from a near fully fit squad with just Shane Christie (hamstring), Richard Buckman (knee) and Pingi Tala’apitaga (knee) unavailable due to injury.
The players set to make their debuts include Josh Hohneck, Ross Geldenhuys and Waisake Naholo in the starting lineup.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (Captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (Captain), 7 John Hardie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacments: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Marty Banks.
Date: Saturday 21 February
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-Off: 08:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 06:35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Mike Lash (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
rugby365
Oh Kuk.
I didn’t even know Ross had moved to the land of the long grey rain shower.
NZ $ infinitely sronger than the ZAR so why the hell not.
Social culture far closer to SA’s than NH countries, and perhaps even Aus, but the rain………………..?
1 @ Scrumdown:
Mind you, I think the England cricketers were doing a rain dance at the change of innings earlier this morning.
Pommies and West Indies to miss the quarters?
NZ win with more than 37 overs remaining.
K@K bly maar k@k.
A polished turd is still a turd.
News for me as well, Ross’ departure.
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