The Highlanders are heading into tonight’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific Super Round clash against the Blues determined to break their 16-game losing streak against New Zealand sides.
When asked if the losing streak is hanging over the side, captain Billy Harmon had a short and sharp answer, “No”.
The Highlanders haven’t beaten any Kiwi opposition since April 2021, when they defeated the Blues in Dunedin, but the Highlanders are redefining themselves as a “new” side this season, for whom the weight of recent history has little relevance.
Coach Clarke Dermody says they feel like this is a new team this year as they have had a big turnover of players, so they don't get dragged down by what has happened.
Dermody says they are looking forward and are really excited by the group of players that they have.
Dermody has named three players with links to Fiji in his starting lineup with Jona Nareki and Timoci Tavatavanawai on the wings while Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens starts again at fullback.
It will be a battle of the wings when Blues wings Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke take on Highlanders wings, Nareki and Tavatavanawai.
The Highlanders team to take on the Blues include Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert (vice-capt), Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava; Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon (capt), Sean Withy, Max Hicks, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell.
The impact players are Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe
The Highlanders will take on the Blues at 7 tonight.
Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on Moana Pasifika at 6pm tomorrow.
In other matches this week, the Rebels will play the Force at 9.10 tonight, the Crusaders will play the Waratahs at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Chiefs will play the Brumbies at 3pm Sunday, and the Hurricanes will play the Reds at 5.30pm Sunday.
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