The Highlanders team to face the Sharks this Saturday shows only two changes from the team that came from behind to defeat the Cheetahs last weekend, with a change a piece amongst the forwards and backs.
James Haskell has been suspended for a mere three weeks, and is replaced by Doug Tietjens on the side of the scrum. Siale Piutau replaces Buxton Popoali’i on the wing.
Ben Smith, who played an influential role in the victory over the Cheetahs last weekend, will make his fiftieth appearance for the Highlanders, and should lead the team onto the field.
The match kicks off at 17h00.
Highlanders: 1 Jamie Mackintosh (C) 2 Andrew Hore 3 Chris King 4 Josh Bekhuis 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Doug Tietjens, 8 Nasi Manu ,9 Aaron Smith, 10 Mike Delany ,11 Hosea Gear ,12 Shaun Treeby ,13 Tamati Ellison, 14 Siale Piutau, 15 Ben Smith
Reserves 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Ma’afu Fia/Jacob Ellison, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Elliot Dixon ,20 Jimmy Cowan ,21 Chris Noake, 22 Kurt Baker
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Doug Tietjens – any relation of Tietjens the sevens coach?
What ever happened to Luzuko Vulindlu?
@The Quirk (Comment 2) : He joined French Pro D2 side Auch. He’s the only South African in the team
Auch are sitting mid table this year.
@Bokhoring (Comment 1) : I’ve also wondered that. Surely he must be? I’ll try find out.
Gordon Tietjens is Doug Tietjens’ first cousin once removed. They’ve apparently only met once
@robdylan (Comment 4) : On wikipedia it just states he is a distant relation
@Bokhoring (Comment 1) : damn! Everytime I hear that name it reminds me of my daughters baby version of “chickens”!
Some points to ponder regarding the Highlanders.
1 They`ll run at us from anywhere. So if we kick aimlessly look for Ben Smith to run riot . . .
2 They are possibly the best contenders at the breakdown.
Our usual tactic of standing off or committing just 2 guys to the ruck will not work. We`re gonna have to hit the rucks with a lot more numbers and intent for that matter.
Lets hope the travelling, the relaxed Durban atmosphere and history counts against the Highlanders tomorrow!
Would`ve felt more comfortable if we had Kaplan or Mark Lawrence tomorrow. Walsh always reminds me of that one we lost in injury time to the Brumbies with that obscure penalty from the line-out . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 8) : No – Walsh always reminds me of the 2007 S14 final when he missed the Bulls knock at the ruck
@Bokhoring (Comment 6) : I read it in an interview on stuff.co.nz
@Bokhoring (Comment 9) : What happened
@Bokhoring (Comment 9) : Thanks for that there goes my good mood.
@slammerboy (Comment 3) : Cool thanks. He just disappeared, thought he might have a long term injury or something…