News

Highlanders get the chop

Thursday 27th March 2008

Dropped: Aaron Bancroft's try-scoring heroics weren't enough to keep him his place

The Highlanders have changed a third of last week's starting XV as coach Glenn Moore looks to freshen his line-up for Saturday's Super 14 tie against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Four of the five changes come in the forwards, where lock Tom Donnelly, flanker Tim Boys and front-rowers Chris King and Jason MacDonald have been spelled.

Inside centre Aaron Bancroft, who scored a try past Wallaby Matt Giteu despite the Highlanders' 28-36 loss to Western Force last weekend, has been replaced by Johnny Leota.

The backline change, Moore said, was a straight swap to counter the strong Chiefs midfield in Hamilton.

Alando Soakai comes into openside flanker for Boys to combine with captain Craig Newby and number eight Steven Setephano in the back row.

Hayden Triggs replaces workhorse Donnelly, who has played in all their previous games, with Clint Newland slotting at prop for King alongside Southland hooker David Hall, who allows MacDonald a break.

However, MacDonald and King are on the bench.

The Highlanders have yet to win after five matches and are stuck at the bottom of the Super 14 standings.

Highlanders: 15 James Wilson, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Craig Newby (c), 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Jason MacDonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Brett Mather.

Date: Saturday, March 29
Venue: Waikato Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 (04:30 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Alan Riley (New Zealand)