Page 4 - Liam Squire News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

McMillan, speaking ahead of his first match as a Super Rugby coach, was anticipating his counterpart Brown to make changes, though, and Fakatava’s elevation has been raised by the Highlanders coach in pre-season. Ioane’s promotion from the bench sees Mitchell Hunt move from first-five to fullback. “One thing we know about Browny, you might think something, but he’s likely to do something completely different,” McMillan said this week. “Our challenge is to expect the unexpected. I guess they are under pressure to play [Fakatava] down there, aren’t they? Otherwise, he might end...

Highlanders Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith says plans are already in place for him to make it through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Highlanders fans still labouring under the misapprehension that Mitch Hunt was an Aaron Mauger/Crusaders old boys selection last year promptly need to reassess that view. New head coach Tony Brown also admires Hunt and his selection at No 15 against the Chiefs on Friday shows that Hunt's communication and leadership abilities continue to be a valued currency within the Highlanders, even if he doesn't always get the plaudits from outside the camp. Joe Allison/Ge...

Hunt starts at No 15 this week, with former Chief Solomon Alaimalo moved to the bench. Highlanders CEO Roger Clark told Stuff on Tuesday: “Aaron Smith is pretty determined to give him the leg up that [former All Blacks No 9] Jimmy Cowan gave him. “We've got a great history here with our halfbacks. We had two All Blacks halfbacks and one passed that onto the other. “Hopefully, that will happen again with these two.” Up front, the Highlanders have largely stuck with the side that lost 26-13 to the Crusaders, although athletic lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit has been recalled to the 23 in...

OPINION: While others in the Blues-Hurricanes game completely lost their heads, the Māori ABs No 10 was composure personified.

By StuffFeb 26th, 2021 FShareTTweetQSMSWWhatsAppBEmailGJTumblrLLinkedInFeb 26th, 2021 A standout performance by All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor has ensured the Crusaders have started the year just like they finished the last one – with a win against the Highlanders. In front of a crowd of about 15,000 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday, Taylor produced 67 minutes of high quality that was the foundation of his side's 26-13 victory. With his head down, he was in the middle of a dominant Crusaders scrum. With his head up, he was a menace with ball in hand all night, scoring a brillian...