Brown heavy on forwards for big battle

The Highlanders are expecting nothing less than a bruising battle against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow night.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown has picked six forwards on his bench and just the two backs as wet weather and a chilly Christchurch July night mean a rugged forwards battle is in prospect. As expected, the red and blacks have brought back their All Black front row  and  All Black lock Sam Whitelock will start.

Midfielder Ryan Crotty comes back into the Crusaders backline, forcing David Havili back to fullback and Israel Dagg to the right wing.

The Highlanders have placed Richard Buckman on the left wing to replace Tevita Li, who drops out of the squad.

The forward pack is the same which started the game against the Reds last Friday night. Brown said the game was expected to be rugged so he decided to put six forwards on the bench.

"We just felt we needed some extra firepower up front, especially coming into the back end of the game," Brown said.

"Just having that extra loose forward on the bench could give us an edge."

Elliot Dixon makes a return to the squad. Brown said Dixon had picked up after some niggling injuries  around his Achilles, and now had his chance to make an impact.

"We have given him the chance to get fit enough and be ready to go and he has done that. Now he can sit on the bench and hopefully come on at the end," Brown said.

Buckman was on the wing as he wanted the side’s best players to start the game, he said.

While the Highlanders had dropped both of their regular-season games against the Crusaders, both had been narrow losses.

He was not concerned about baggage from the  earlier defeats, Brown said.

"From my point of view, those games are irrelevant. This game is a one-off challenge which is going to be massive.

"The Crusaders are a fantastic side — probably the best side in the competition — so for us it is going to be a huge challenge. We are not going to take too much out of what happened in the round robin.

"They are going to be at their best and going to be  hard to beat."

Conditions  are  likely to be awful. SANZAR was asked to explain why the Blues played in temperatures of 44degC last Saturday in Tokyo. There is little chance of that happening in Christchurch tomorrow night.

Brown joked the match could be switched to under cover at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but he doubted the Crusaders would agree. 

 

Highlanders v Crusaders
Christchurch, tomorrow, 7.35pm

Highlanders: Ben Smith (captain), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Richard Buckman, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Aki Seiuli, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Alex Ainley, Gareth Evans, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks.

Crusaders: David Havili, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, George Bridge.