Highlanders change four
May 08 2008
Four changes, two of them forced by injury, have been made to the Highlanders team for the Super 14 rugby match against the Blues in Dunedin on Saturday.
Winger Matt Saunders and centre Brett Mather were not considered for selection because of injuries picked up in the team's 31-28 win over the Cheetahs last weekend.
Saunders has a leg injury while Mather sustained a heavy knock to the head during his side's second win of the season.
In their place, Glen Horton will start on the wing against the Blues with Aaron Bancroft one place inside him.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has turned to his number one scrum-half Jimmy Cowan ahead of Toby Morland, while openside flanker Alando Soakai, who has overcome a knee injury, returns in place of Tim Boys.
The Highlanders enter the penultimate round of the round robin in 12th place and playing the role of potential spoilers.
The Blues are seventh and need to beat the Highlanders and collect a bonus point to ensure they remain in play-offs contention entering their final game against the Hurricanes next week.
Highlanders: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Aaron Bancroft, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Craig Newby (c), 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Chris King, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Steven Setephano, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Daniel Bowden, 22 Niva Ta'auso.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:35 (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)