Highlanders’ Josh Ioane benched for Chiefs clash

Former All Blacks 7s player Jona Nareki who has started every match so far for the Highlanders will be given a chance to make an impact off the bench this week against the Chiefs.

Josh Ioane is returning to the Highlanders matchday 23 to get his first taste of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

There are no changes in the forward pack

The Highlanders face the Chiefs at 3.35pm Sunday while the Hurricanes face the Blues at 7.05pm Saturday.

1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Ash Dixon (cc) 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Paripari Parkinson 5. Jack Whetton 6. Shannon Frizell 7. Dillon Hunt 8. Marino Mikaele Tu’u 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Mitch Hunt 11. Scott Gregory 12. Patelesio Tomkinson 13. Rob Thompson 14. Josh McKay 15. Michael Collins Reserves

16. Liam Coltman 17. Ethan De Groot 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 20. Jesse Parete 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Josh Ioane 23. Jona Nareki

Unavailable due to injury: Nathan Vella (concussion), Nehe Milner-Skudder (shoulder), Ngatungane Punivai (concussion), Daniel Lienert-Brown (teeth)

Season-ending injuries: Sione Misiloi (foot), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (shoulder), James Lentjes (ankle), Conor Garden-Bachop (back), Sam Gilbert (knee), Josh Dickson (leg), Kayne Hammington (hand).

[Source : Stuff.co]