50 up for Lentjes against the Rebels
- 1605
A tumultuous week will end with the Highlanders playing in the bustling western suburbs of Sydney rather than the tranquillity of Queenstown.
Due to the recently extended travel ban between NZ and Australia the Highlanders will be jumping on a plane, not a bus, for their third-round fixture against the Melbourne Rebels.
A slightly refreshed look to the team sees Ethan De Groot, Josh Dickson and James Lentjes come into the starting squad while Jeff Thwaites and Manaaki Selby-Rickit come onto the bench. A rare start for Liam Coltman means inspirational leader Ash Dixon will make his impact from the bench.
James Lentjes will play his 50th game for the Highlanders after making his debut against the Stormers in 2015, going on to play in both the semi-final and final for that Championship winning side.
Highlanders v Rebels, Leichardt Oval, Sydney
1. Ethan De Groot
2. Liam Coltman
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Josh Dickson
6. Shannon Frizell
7. James Lentjes*
8. Hugh Renton
9. Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Mitch Hunt
11 Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Josh Ioane
Reserves
16. Ash Dixon (cc)
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Jeff Thwaites
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Kazuki Himeno
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Ngatungane Punivai
23. Billy Harmon
Unavailable due to injury: Sam Gilbert (Hamstring)
Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vahaakalo (foot), Folau Fakatava (knee), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (wrist), Connor Garden-Bachop (hand), Liam Squire (knee), Marino Mikaele Tu’u (leg), Caleb Makene (leg), Josh Timu (ankle), Saula Mau (Knee)
*50th Highlanders game
