Josh Ioane returns to the Highlanders starting XV
- 2710
After a strong performance against the Australian Super Rugby Champions, the Queensland Reds, the Highlanders have travelled to Perth to play their second-round match against a Western Force side that was desperately unlucky to lose against the Chiefs.
The coaches have stuck largely with the winning combination from round one with the only changes to the starting team being Bryn Evans (rotating with Josh Dickson) and Shannon Frizell returning to take his place on the blindside with the well-performed Kazuki Himeno moving to the bench.
Josh Ioane returns to the matchday team after recovering from an ankle injury and the side will again be co-captained by Aaron Smith and Ash Dixon.
Western Force v Highlanders - Friday 21st May, HBF Park, Perth
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Ash Dixon (cc)
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Bryn Evans
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Billy Harmon
8. Hugh Renton
9. Aaron Smith (cc)
10. Mitch Hunt
11 Jona Nareki
12. Scott Gregory
13. Michael Collins
14. Patelesio Tomkinson
15. Sam Gilbert
Reserves
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ethan De Groot
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Josh Dickson
20. Kazuki Himeno
21. Kayne Hammington
22. Josh Ioane
23. Ngatugnane Punivai
Unavailable due to injury: Daniel Lienert-Brown (Arm)
Season ending injuries: Jermaine Ainsley (ankle), Fetuli Paea (ankle), Freedom Vaahakalo (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)