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Highlanders first five-eighth Josh Ioane looks to take on the Jaguares defence at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Josh Ioane. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Josh Ioane has been moved to fullback as the Highlanders again blood some new players in their match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZ time).

Ioane slots into the number 15 jersey with Michael Collins moving to the bench. Sio Tomkinson is named on the wing with Josh McKay also shifting to the bench.

Tei Walden starts at second five-eighth while Josh Dickson comes straight back in at lock.

Kayne Hammington is at halfback and Ash Dixon will captain the team from hooker.

Hooker Nathan Vella, prop Ethan De Groot and lock Will Tucker will all make their debut for the Highlanders if they come on from the reserves bench.

Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Sio Tomkinson, Ngani Punivai, Tei Walden, Tima Fainga'anuku, Mitch Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Marine Mikaele Tu'u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Ethan De Groot, Jeff Thwaites, Will Tucker, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Folau Fakatava, Michael Collins, Josh McKay.

Comments

My preference like possibly the majority of Highlanders fans would be to see Josh Ioane at 10. Still with it being unlikely an understrength Highlanders will win a bit of experimentation won t hurt. Ioane's a classy and skilled ball player it ll be interesting to see him at fullback.

Don t right the Highlanders off though. If the new faces in the team step up and if the Argies miss their normally vocal fan's this could be a lot closer than people are predicting.