Some added flair should help bolster the Highlanders’ attacking prowess tomorrow night.
Mosese Dawai and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u are among five changes to the starting line-up to face the Blues at North Harbour Stadium.
The pair should add punch to a team that is searching for its first win and has scored just four tries in its three matches so far.
Scott Gregory also comes into the starting line-up at centre, while Aaron Smith and Manaaki Selby-Rickit return after rotating on to the bench last week.
The Highlanders confirmed yesterday that Covid-19 had made its way into the camp.
They declined to reveal who had contracted the virus, although both Sam Gilbert and Fetuli Paea had been left out of the matchday side after starting all three games so far.
Dawai and Gregory replaced that duo.
For Dawai, it is a second opportunity after a tough debut in the season opener against the Chiefs.
The winger has no shortage of flair, and his spark may give the Highlanders something they have been missing in recent weeks — if he can cut out his mistakes.
Coach Tony Brown said the team had given Dawai some time off to regain confidence.
"He’s had a great couple of weeks.
"He’s had a little bit of conditioning to his footy, so he’s a bit fitter. I think it was important for him to have a couple of weeks off, think about what happened on his debut and to make sure next time he gets his opportunity, he’s going to play his style of rugby and not be afraid."
In the forwards, Mikaele-Tu’u comes in at No 8, while Gareth Evans slides to openside flanker in place of Hugh Renton, who will come off the bench.
Mikaele-Tu’u is another to offer a dynamic ball-carrying presence.
"He’s come off an operation, so we wanted to build his load through the early part of the season.
"We feel as though he’s ready to start a game of rugby now.
"It’s pretty exciting for him to get out there and show everyone what he’s got. He had a bit of a light year last year, so its a big opportunity for him."
The Blues have a new 10-12 combination, as Harry Plummer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have been ruled out with shoulder injuries.
All Blacks star Beauden Barrett comes into the starting line-up in Plummer’s place, while Bryce Heem slots in at second five.
They are part of what is a lethal backline that includes threats such as Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea.
There is plenty of physicality and dynamic ability up front as well.
Brown admitted they were a tough opponent, despite only sneaking past the Chiefs last week.
"‘They’re obviously a really talented, athletically-gifted side.
"They’re trying to play to those strengths — that’s on attack, really. They’re holding the ball a lot more and they’re letting their X-factor players change games for them and win games for them.
"They want to play an exciting brand. They’ve got the team to do it and they’ve been doing a good job so far."
Super Rugby Pacific
The teams
Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Gareth Evans, Shannon Frizell, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Dickson, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Ngane Punivai.
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Taine Plumtree, Sam Darry, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Ecklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock,
Tanielu Tele’a, Zarn Sullivan.
