No Highlanders in test squad

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
It's a dead rubber. The Wallabies are as weak as a can of Foster’s and now for the first time in more than six years there is not a Highlander to be seen in black.

It could be a tough ask staying up late tomorrow night.

The All Blacks will take on the Wallabies in Brisbane tomorrow night, in what will be the fourth game between the teams in the past five weeks.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has rung the changes, bringing in some new caps and giving most of the squad members a run.

But what he has done has meant there is not one Highlander in the match day squad of 23.

Halfback Aaron Smith has been replaced by TJ Perenara, who looked a tad off the pace last week. Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell has also disappeared as Akira Ioane finally gets a test start.

It has been a long time since the All Blacks played a match with no Highlander in the test side.

On November 1, 2014, the side played the United States in Chicago and not one Highlander was involved.

Since then 73 games have been played by the All Blacks and at least one Highlander has been on the field in the black jersey. Aaron and Ben Smith have been the stalwarts along with the likes of Liam Squire and Waisake Naholo.

The last game in a match against a tier one nation where no Highlander featured was way back in the World Cup final of 2011.

Adam Thomson was on the reserves bench against the French at Eden Park but he never got on the pitch. There have been 99 games against tier one nations since then.

TEAMS

All Blacks: Karl Tu'inukuafe, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Samuel Whitelock, Akira Ioane (debut), Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece, Jordie Barrett.

Reserves: Asafo Aumua (debut), Alex Hodgman, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Cullen Grace (debut), Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan (debut).

 

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