Highlanders shuffle backs for Reds clash
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The Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition kicks off on Friday night with the Australian champions, the Queensland Reds, in Dunedin.
This will be the first time the Highlanders’ have played an Australian opposition since 28th Febraury 2020 when we played the Rebels at home.
There are only minor changes to the team that played in the last round of Super Rugby Aotearoa with lock Pari Pari Parkinson returning from injury and Hugh Renton coming into the starting XV.
In the backs, Michael Collins comes into the centre position pushing Patelesio Tomkinson out to the right-wing and Sam Gilbert to fullback.
A strong bench includes Ethan De Groot, Bryn Evans and Tasman injury replacement first five-eighth, Tim O’Malley.
Highlanders v Reds, Friday 14 May, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Ash Dixon (cc)
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Josh Dickson
6. Hugh Renton
7. Billy Harmon
8. Kazuki Himeno
9. Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Mitch Hunt
11 Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Sam Gilbert
RESERVES
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ethan De Groot
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Bryn Evans
20. James Lentjes
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Tim O’Malley
23. Ngatugnane Punivai
Unavailable due to injury: Daniel Lienert-Brown (arm), Josh Ioane (leg), Jeff Thwaites (leg)
Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vaahakalo (foot), Folau Fakatava (knee), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist), Connor Garden-Bachop (hand), Liam Squire (knee) Marino Mikaele Tu’u (leg), Caleb Makene (leg), Josh Timu (ankle)
