Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
The Western Force head across the Tasman looking for their third win of the season, and continue the Highlanders’ horrific start to the season. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 1:35pm (AEDT).
Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a has passed HIA protocols and is fit to start for the Force, as Michael Wells also returns after a concussion.
Wells replaces Tim Anstee, who starts on the bench, in one of five changes to the XV.
Lock Ryan McCauley starts, pairing up with Jeremy Williams. Gareth Simpson will make his Super Rugby debut on Sunday, starting at No.9. The 25-year-old has been training with the Force for the past two months havng previously played for Worcester Warriors and Saracens. He is on loan to the Force and will return to Saracens at the end of this season. Fellow English recruit Zach Kibirige returns to the wing after resting his hamstring last match.
SioSifa Amone will play as number 18 after a SANZAAR Judicial Committee Hearing reduced his Red Card from last Saturdays’s match to a warning.
Mitch Hunt has retained the No.10 jersey for the Highlanders despite being forced off in last week’s loss to the Chiefs.
Rookie Cam Millar is poised for his debut off the bench, replacing Freddie Burns, who played at fullback last week, as the Highlanders welcome back five players from injury and All Blacks rotation.
Captain Billy Harmon, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert and Josh Timu start, and Folau Fakatava is on the bench.
Advertisement
Argentina winger Martin Bogado starts on the wing. In the forwards lock Fabian Holland replaces Pari Pari Parkinson who suffered concussion.
Game information
Venue: Invercargill Rugby Park Kick-off: 1:35pm (AEDT) Streaming:Stan Sport Betting: Highlanders $1.09, Force $7.00 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Fabian Holland, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert.
Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, James Lentjes, Folau Fakatava, Cam Millar, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Advertisement
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Ryan McCauley, Michael Wells, Ollie Callan, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, Toni Pulu, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia.
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u/Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman, Manasa Mataele.
