Highlanders keen to be tested in final hit-out

Aaron Mauger. Photo Getty
Aaron Mauger. Photo Getty
There may be plenty of fun in the stands and talk about sheep and swine but for the Highlanders it is serious business.

The Highlanders will move up a gear when they take on the Crusaders in the game at Waimumu, near Gore, this afternoon.

Playing in what is a farmer's paddock - albeit one that has been given some loving tender care over the past few months - brings a bit of fun to the fixture which coincides with Southern Field Days.

But for the Highlanders this game is serious. It is the last chance to gauge where they are at before the big dance starts in just over a week.

This will be the first and only time the Highlanders will have all their All Blacks available before the Super Rugby competition begins.

The Highlanders have named a strong side, not far from that which will run out on Forsyth Barr Stadium next Friday night to play the Blues.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said it was a chance to see where the side's game was before the season started and there was nothing better than taking on the Crusaders.

''We are going to test ourselves against the best from last year so it will be a good measure for us. We want to make sure we are smart with the ball and execute our
skills when under pressure,'' he said.

''We want to be able to really express ourselves and display our game.''

The Highlanders welcome back some All Blacks for the first time this season with Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo all named to start. Liam Coltman will also play his first match since injuring his ankle in the 2017 quarter final against the Crusaders.

Mauger said the Highlanders had enjoyed their time in Brisbane for the tens. The whole squad went over and he said this was good for the team bonding with the side's All Blacks getting to meet the new players in the side.

With everyone available, some players will unfortunately miss out but the side - the All Blacks especially - needed a run together.

The match will be played in two 40-minute spells and Mauger said the score did matter, no matter the status of the match.

''The score is a good indicator of how the game has gone. It puts the game in context. So yes, we do want to win. It is important to us. We want to win the Farmlands Cup.''

The game at Waimumu in 2016 ended in a 19-19 draw, and the Crusaders had an easy victory over the Highlanders at Darfield last year.

The Highlanders are scheduled to travel to Gore this morning for the game which kicks off at 6pm. A crowd of about 8000 is expected.

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