Highlanders vs. Moana Pasifika: Playoff Hopes On The Line For The Highlanders

It may have taken two tries, but Moana Pasifika will face the Highlanders on Friday night beneath the dome of Forsyth Barr Stadium. COVID-19 may have disrupted the last match, but with both teams anxious for a victory, the stage is set for a thrilling battle.

When the southerners meet the competition's newest club for the first time, young Tasman lock Max Hicks will make his Highlanders debut off the bench.

On the opposite end of the scale, experienced loose forward Gareth Evans will play his 50th Super Rugby game for the Highlanders, capping off a career that has included 34 games with the Hurricanes before returning to Dunedin after a four-year sabbatical.

Coach Tony Brown will start the same backline that lost to the Crusaders last week but will add props Ethan de Groot and Jermaine Ainsley to his front pack and lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit.

1-Ethan De Groot, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-James Lentjes, 8-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 9-Aaron Smith (c), 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Mosese Dawai, 12-Scott Gregory, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Sam Gilbert, 15-Connor Garden-Bachop

Reserves: 16-Rhys Marshall, 17-Ayden Johnstone, 18-Saula Mau, 19-Max Hicks, 20-Gareth Evans, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Vilimoni Koroi, 23-Denny Solomona

Aaron Mauger, the coach of Moana Pasifika, has made three changes to the starting XV that faced the Blues at Eden Park last week.

The No.2 jersey will be worn by Luteru Tolai, while Sam Slade returns to the second row and Alamanda Motuga takes over the openside flanker role, with Solomone Funaki transferring to the blindside.

Mauger's backline will remain unaltered against his former team, where he served from 2018 to 20.

1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Luteru Tolai, 3-Sekope Kepu (c), 4-Veikoso Poloniati, 5-Samuel Slade, 6-Solomone Funaki, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Penitoa Finau, 9-Ereatara Enari, 10-Christian Leali'ifano, 11-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 12-Danny Toala, 13-Levi Aumua, 14-Tima Fainga'anuku, 15-William Havili

Reserves: 16-Samiuela Moli, 17-Abraham Pole, 18-Chris Apoua, 19-Mahonri Ngakuru, 20-Sione Tu’ipulotu, 21-Jonathan Taumateine, 22-Lincoln McClutchie, 23-Fine Inisi

Highlanders will win with a margin of 22 points atleast.

The total of Moana Pasifika would be in odd.

The second half of the match would be the most exciting with highest score.

• Handiсap Moana Pasifika (+21.5) for 1.80
• Moana Pasifika Total Odd for 1.85
• Second half with the highest score for 1.80

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