The rookie and the reliable.
Cam Millar and Mitch Hunt have been given the nod at first five to direct the Highlanders in their pre-season Farmlands Cup game against the Crusaders in Weston, near Oamaru, tomorrow.
Coach Clarke Dermody has opted to name first-half and second-half teams, giving 32 players a run.
He said he was looking for different things from both Millar and Hunt and looked forward to seeing what they could produce.
"Cam, obviously we see as a guy with a big future for the club," Dermody said.
"It’s a bit of a free shot for him.
"He’s had a great pre-season, so just being able to go out and do his thing — he plays a different game to Mitch."
Hunt, who joined the Highlanders in 2020, has not played any rugby since a head knock in May last year and Dermody said it was "awesome" to have him captaining the second-half team.
"[He’s] a big part of our leadership group and the boys love him, so we’re a better team when he’s playing.
"It’s about getting him, I guess, comfortable and confident back running the team."
Southland captain Josh Bekhuis, who played 82 caps for the Highlanders from 2009 to 2014, has also been roped in as an injury replacement, and Argentinian outside back Martin Bogado also gets his first start in his new colours.
Bekhuis trained with the Crusaders before Christmas and was "outstanding" for the Stags during the NPC, Dermody said. He had "no hesitation" calling on his services if needed during the season.
Bogado was still settling into the Highlanders structures, but played off instinct and could have a big effect on the game.
"He’s been training really well, so it’s exciting to be able to get him out there."
Andrew Makalio gets a chance to stake a claim at hooker in the first-half team, as does Nikora Broughton debuting at No 8, and Finn Hurley debuting at fullback. Oli Haig gets a run at flanker in the second-half team, Jack Taylor takes over the No 2 jersey and Pari Pari Parkinson is back at lock after an injury break.
The game — the only chance to see the Highlanders play the Crusaders in New Zealand — was a good opportunity to put plans into practice, he said.
"We’ve got a new coaching group [and] some new philosophies going in.
"A win is cool but I think the biggest thing is just seeing what we’re trying to grow through the team out on the field in a game."
The Highlanders won last year’s Farmlands Cup, but it did not count as the game was played behind closed doors in Weston due to Covid-19 restrictions.
A bumper crowd was expected at the Valley Rugby Club grounds, and while stars such as Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell would not be playing, they would still be at the game, Dermody said.
It was a good opportunity for the Highlanders to reconnect with the community and "pay back" Weston for the game it was unable to host last year.
"It’s going to be awesome for the boys to see the support and hopefully afterwards be able to spend time with the fans, as opposed to all being behind closed doors.
"Something that we’ve talked a lot about is making sure that community contact’s big again after a tough two years."
Highlanders teams
To play Crusaders
First half: Finn Hurley, Martin Bogado, Isaac Te Tamaki, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawat, Cam Millar, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Nikora Broughton, James Lentjes (C), Max Hicks, Josh Bekhuis, Will Tucker, Saula Mau, Andrew Makalio, Ayden Johnstone.
Second half: Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt (C), James Arscott, Jacob Payne, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Sean Withy, Oliver Haig, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jermaine Ainsley, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham.
