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Highlanders v Brumbies preview
Round 9 of the 2013 Super Rugby tournament sees the Brumbies travel to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders.
The Highlanders will play host to the Brumbies on Friday, 12 April 2013, when the Canberra side travel to the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
The Round 9 Super Rugby fixture will see arguably the most successful team so far, the Brumbies, gunning for another win against the Highlanders, who are yet to get their first win.
The Highlanders have made six changes ahead of the match, with Ma’afu Fia coming into the front row, and Chris King moving to the bench.
Jarrad Hoeata moves off the side of the scrum and back into lock alongside Brad Thorn. TJ Ioane takes Hoeata’s previous position.
Fumiaki Tanaka and Hayden Parker will both make their first start for the Highlanders, replacing Aaron Smith and Colin Slade respectively.
Phil Burleigh starts at centre and Kade Poki makes his return from injury.
For the Brumbies, Jordan Smiler makes his Super Rugby debut on the flank, while Matt Toomua (flyhalf), Andrew Smith (outside centre) and Sam Carter (lock) all move back into the starting line-up.
Kuridrani, McCabe and Auelua shift to the reserves, with captain Ben Mowen moving to number 8.
Rugby Informer’s take: While the Brumbies have been strong throughout the tournament (even in their defeat to the Sharks), the draw with the Kings may have knocked their confidence, and the Highlanders are desperate for their first win, especially at home. Highlanders by 5.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Mose Tuiali’i, 7 John Hardie, 6 TJ Ioane, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Chris King, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Jason Emery.
Brumbies – 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joseph Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 George Smith, 6 Jordan Smiler, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Fotu Auelua, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Pat McCabe, 22 Tevita Kuridrani.
