Highlanders start Josh Ioane as injury curse hits Connor Garden-Bachop

Josh Ioane has forced his way back into the Highlanders’ starting 15 on the back of an outstanding 30 minutes in the Highlanders’ loss to the Chiefs last Saturday.

Head coach Tony Brown has handed Ioane the No 15 jersey in one of several changes to the 23-man squad following a disappointing performance in Dunedin.

However, the Highlanders’ injury curse has struck yet again, with the impressive Connor Garden-Bachop ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken wrist.

The Highlanders will take on the Blues at 7.05pm Friday and the Crusaders will face the Chiefs at 7.05pm Saturday.

Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (cc), Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (cc), Ayden Johnstone.

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Kayne Hammington, Michael Collins, James Lentjes.

[Source: Stuff.com.nz]