Rugby: Joseph confident in replacements for ABs

Jamie Joseph.
Jamie Joseph.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has the utmost confidence in players filling in for an All Black trio and says a plan for a second rest for his star players has not been set.

Wet weather is forecast for Canberra tonight in what is looming to be a tough battle up front.

But it is who is missing out the back which appears to be in the minds of most Highlanders fans.

Joseph has opted to bench All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa, as part of the mandatory rest as the World Cup looms.

The replacements were experienced Super rugby players who had shown they could play at this level, he said.

''With the exception of Josh Renton, who is going to make his debut at this level, all the rest are seasoned Super rugby players,'' Joseph said yesterday.

''Trent Renata has been around for a few seasons. Sure, he has been in behind Ben Smith for the past two seasons but most All Blacks are in behind Ben Smith.

''Richard Buckman was one of our best players last year and now gets an opportunity.

''If you look at the changes, they are mainly up front. These guys have been scrumming together since November. Fumi [Fumiaki Tanaka] has been with us for three or four years now and we know what he can do.

''I have absolute confidence in these guys.''

The All Blacks are scheduled to miss two games this season but Joseph said it had not been decided when they would miss their other game.

Other players such as loose forwards Elliot Dixon and Nasi Manu are due for a rest and may get limited minutes tonight, especially with two loose forwards on the bench.

Injuries had complicated the issue over the All Black stand-down. Buckman had been slower back to full fitness than expected so Fekitoa had to keep playing.

Joseph said with rain forecast in Australia's capital, he decided to go with six forwards on the bench as it was bound to be a combative match.

''I think we're going to bear the brunt of the storm from them. They have lost their last two games and they'll be really disappointed with their loss to the Rebels last week . . . then last year when they played on Anzac Day they played against the Chiefs they tore them apart.

''Anzac Day is pretty special here.''

The Highlanders were set to go to an Anzac ceremony in Canberra yesterday afternoon.

The home side welcomes back Jesse Mogg and Tevita Kuridrani in its back division while Mitchell Dowsett continues at halfback.

The match will start at 9.55 rather than 9.40 due to Anzac commemorations.

 


Highlanders v Brumbies
Canberra, tonight, 9.55pm

Highlanders: Trent Renata, Waisake Naholo, Richard Buckman, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Nasi Manu (captain), James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Joe Latta, Gareth Evans, Dan Pryor, Josh Renton, Jason Emery.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Robbie Coleman, Joe Tomane, Christian leali'ifano, Michael Dowsett, Ita Vaea, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Blake Enever, Jordan Smiler, Ruan Smith, Stephen Moore (captain), JP Smith. Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Jarrad Butler, Joe Powell, Rod Iona, Nigel Ah Wong.

Referee: Matt O'Brien



 

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