Josh Ioane returns to the Highlanders starting XV
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The Highlanders take on the Blues on Friday in Dunedin with Head Coach, Tony Brown, has made minimal changes to the side that went down to the Chiefs in extra time last weekend.
Exciting rookie, Connor Garden-Bachop, has been ruled out for the season after breaking his wrist on Friday night and Josh Ioane will take his place at fullback in an otherwise unchanged backline for the Highlanders.
Injury to Pari Pari Parkinson means Josh Dickson comes into the middle row and both starting props from last week have been rotated to the bench to allow Ayden Johnstone and Siate Tokolahi first crack at a strong Blues scrum.
Billy Harmon and James Lentjes trade places and Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele Tu’u and Michael Collins come onto the bench for a must-win game for the Highlanders.
Highlanders v Blues - Friday 16th April, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Ash Dixon (cc)
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Bryn Evans
5. Josh Dickson
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Billy Harmon
8. Kazuki Himeno
9. Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Mitch Hunt
11 Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Patelesio Tomkinson
14. Ngatungane Punivai
15. Josh Ioane
RESERVES
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ethan De Groot
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Michael Collins
23. James Lentjes
Unavailable due to injury: Daniel Lienert-Brown (arm), Pari Pari Parkinson (ankle)
Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vaahakalo (foot), Folau Fakatava (knee), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist), Connor Garden-Bachop (wrist), Liam Squire (knee).
