Garden-Bachop expected to shine in comeback

Connor Garden-Bachop is back in the starting XV after a long injury layoff. Photo: Getty Images
Connor Garden-Bachop is back in the starting XV after a long injury layoff. Photo: Getty Images
The Highlanders’ medical staff have been holding back Connor Garden-Bachop until he was good to go.

And now he is good to go.

The 22-year-old has not played since he fractured his wrist in April last year.

He will end that drought tonight, and Garden-Bachop has picked a good game make his comeback.

The Highlanders are hosting the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Covid-19 protocols means the venue will more or less empty. No crowd. No Zoo. No noise.

But this is a derby, and that is all the motivation the players need.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown is hopeful Garden-Bachop will generate some magic at the back.

"He has been training with us for a while now but the medical staff have been holding him off until his wrist and finger had recovered," Brown said.

"And finally we get to select him this weekend and he is pretty excited to get out there.

"I think with Connor he’s got a little bit of extra gas — a bit of X-factor there.

"He’s hugely confident in his own ability. We are looking for him to dominate that 15 position."

The Highlanders struggled at the back in the 26-16 loss to the Chiefs in the opening round.

Garden-Bachop’s return allows Brown to tweak the line-up without bruising the confidence of winger Mosese Dawai, who drops out of the game-day 23.

The right winger made some errors in his debut and there was a discussion had around picking him again and giving him an opportunity to show what he is capable of.

"It probably just wasn’t the right game this week, but it’s something that was definitely talked about," Brown said.

Sam Gilbert started at fullback last week but shuffles to the right wing, while Josh Timu, who had a strong debut, retains his place on the left wing.

Still, the Crusaders will look at the Highlanders back three and feel they have an opportunity to attack there.

All Black Will Jordan is in the No15 jersey for the visitors, while Sevu Reece replaces George Bridge on the right wing and the powerful Leicester Fainga’anuku will take some stopping on the left wing.

Thomas Umaga-Jensen made an impact off the bench but will start for the Highlanders.

He joins Fetuli Paea in a midfield which Brown hopes will have a physical edge over the Crusaders pairing of David Havili and Braydon Ennor.

The Highlanders have named two loose forwards — Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Hugh Renton — on the bench.

"We just feel the loose forwards are a big strength of ours and feel that both Hugh and Marino give us a massive impact off the bench.

"We didn’t play as well as we wanted to against the Chiefs. We are still developing as a team and still learning and we are still are in pre-season mode a little bit.

"We had five debutants [last week] and we have a lot of guys who haven’t played for the Highlanders before.

"Last week’s performance wasn’t good enough but those guys get another opportunity this week."

Super Rugby Pacific, Dunedin, 7.05pm

Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (captain), Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Shannon
Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton.

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor,  David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Fergus Burke,  Mitch Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie,  Pablo Matera, Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody. Reserves: Shilo Klein, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Simon Hickey, George Bridge.

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