Lentjes in for Highlanders’ Africa trip

Otago flanker James Lentjes: "Getting one over your mate - there is nothing better.''PHOTO LINDA...
Otago flanker James Lentjes. Photo: Linda Robertson
Highlanders openside flanker James Lentjes has taken a step nearer the action by being picked in the side’s travelling squad that left for South Africa over the weekend.

Lentjes is coming back from a shoulder operation and has played two games since his lengthy break. He played for his club, Taieri, and then had 50-odd minutes for the Highlanders Bravehearts team last weekend.

Lentjes got the nod ahead of Dan Pryor, who last made an appearance for the Highlanders in 2016. He missed all of last season because of a knee injury and has been hampered this season with a hamstring injury.

Pryor left the field early in the second half for his club side, Kaikorai, on Saturday.

The 27-strong squad includes the 23 players who took part in the 34-16 victory over the Blues on Friday night, minus  prop Siate Tokolahi. Tokolahi took a blow to his leg in the first half of the match and left the field.

He was replaced in the touring party by Kalolo Tuiloma. Tuiloma was scheduled to play for Green Island on Saturday but flew to Auckland instead to link with the touring party.

Also joining the squad were hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate, first five-eighth Josh Ioane and utility back Sio Tomkinson.

Loose forward Liam Squire has not been included as he continues his recovery from a broken thumb. He could still join the squad and play the second game of the tour against the Sharks, but that depends on how his injury is progressing. That game was the one he was targeting for his comeback match.

There is adequate backup: raw loose forward Shannon Frizell scored three tries in the win over the Blues.

The side stayed in Sydney on Saturday night and  flew to South Africa yesterday. It will stay in Johannesburg  this week  then travel to Pretoria for the game against the Bulls. It has previously been based in Johannesburg  and is familiar with the surroundings.

It will travel to Durban the day after the game with the Bulls and be seaside for that week, preparing for the match against the Sharks.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said before leaving for South Africa he was keen to get there. Touring was good for building morale and Durban was a nice place to spend a week.

The win over the Blues was a good boost and the side remains close to the New Zealand sides around it.

Victory against the overseas teams is vital for the New Zealand teams. The Crusaders and Hurricanes have both travelled and played their away games against teams from the African conference.

In other games over the weekend, the Lions beat the Waratahs 29-0, and the Chiefs beat the Reds 36-12. The Crusaders beat the Sunwolves 33-11, the Bulls toppled the Rebels 28-10, the Sharks edged the Stormers 24-17 and the Jaguares downed the Brumbies 25-20.

 

Highlanders squad
to South Africa

Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Fletcher Smith, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Tom Franklin,  Jackson Hemopo, Alex Ainley, Tyrel Lomax, Kalolo Tuiloma, Ash Dixon, Liam Coltman, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Aki Seiuli.

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