Rewards still high in Dunedin
Highlanders v Hurricanes, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, August 15, 7.05pm
Incentives to make the most of their final Super Rugby Aotearoa game of the season abound for both the Highlanders and Hurricanes in their game at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.
The home team want to show how much they have improved during the year while the Hurricanes are keen to secure second place to the Crusaders in the competition standings.
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said his side had changed significantly for the better from that which started the campaign and they would be looking to mark that improvement with a notable scalp from the game.
Mauger said if it wasn't possible to play in front of their fans, they knew they would be watching from their lounges. They had been faithful fans, and he felt the Highlanders had rewarded their support. That was evident from the 15,000 tickets sold ahead of Saturday's game.
"We haven't always got the results but I think how we've played has helped our fans fall in love with this team again, and that's been a real positive for us, something we're proud of," he said.
If fans were unable to attend the game due to the Covid-19 situation, it could impact on the marking of two milestones for the side's captains. All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith is to mark his 150th appearance while hooker Ash Dixon is to play his 100th game.
The pair were voted the side's most valuable players for the season. They had been inspirational in the way they led the side and set standards, he said.
While Smith wouldn't be up against long-time rival in TJ Perenara, who is not playing, Mauger said Jamie Booth was a good player who would be excited to be starting the game.
With all sides looking to their squads for next season, Mauger said there were about ten places still to be filled by the Highlanders.
He said the Covid-19 situation meant there was not the same level of interest from overseas in New Zealand players, while there was also less incentive for players to look overseas. That was potentially good news for New Zealand in replenishing the country's stocks.
Some of the depth lost over the last 10-15 years had been noticeable, and the lack of outflow of players could help for rebuild depth, he said.
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland said while there was uncertainty surrounding the game, the side had been focusing on their approach through recent rounds. That had been successful, and that was how they were preparing for their trip to Dunedin.
He said Perenara's absence was a combination of several factors: he had played every minute of the campaign, his wife was due to give birth to their first child while Booth had been performing well coming off the bench and deserved a starting role.
Backline changes would see Peter Umaga-Jensen move in a position to second five-eighths to allow Billy Proctor to play centre with Vince Aso moving to the wing. Proctor had not had a lot of chances to start, Holland said but had been performing well off the bench while many felt Aso's best position was on the wing.
The teams are:
Highlanders: 1.Ayden Johnstone, 2.Ash Dixon (captain), 3.Siate Tokolahi, 4.Pari Pari Parkinson, 5.Jack Whetton, 6.Shannon Frizell, 7.Dillon Hunt, 8.Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 9.Aaron Smith (captain), 10.Josh Ioane, 11.Jona Nareki, 12.Patelesio Tomkinson, 13.Michael Collins, 14.Josh McKay, 15.Mitch Hunt.
Substitutes: 16.Liam Coltman, 17.Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18.Jeff Thwaites, 19.Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20.Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21.Folau Fakatava, 22.Ngatungane Punivai, 23.Tom Florence.
Hurricanes: 1.Ben May, 2.Dane Coles (captain), 3.Tyrel Lomax, 4.James Blackwell, 5.Scott Scrafton, 6.Reed Prinsep, 7.Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8.Ardie Savea, 9.Jamie Booth, 10.Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11.Wes Goosen, 12.Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13.Billy Proctor, 14.Vince Aso, 15.Jordie Barrett.
Substitutes: 16.Ricky Riccitelli, 17.Tevita Mafileo, 18.Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19.Liam Mitchell, 20.Devan Flanders, 21.Jonathan Taumateine, 22.Salesi Rayasi, 23.Chase Tiatia.