Page 29 - Sam Gilbert News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The All Blacks' 'rest protocols' have robbed the Highlanders of their No 9 at the worst possible time, while in-form flanker is out for six weeks.

The flanker starts in place of Billy Harmon, who moves to the bench as coach Clarke Dermody shuffles the pack for another trip to Australia.

"So, that decision comes really easy for me to stick around.” The 25-year-old didn't enjoy the best start at the Highlanders as the team struggled at the beginning of 2020, but he has emerged as one of the club's most consistent players, revealing to Hunt said the consistent game time at the Highlanders, where he has often being played alongside Josh Ioane, had been crucial in building his confidence and advised fringe players at other franchises to follow his lead. “You look at the likes of maybe myself, guys like Billy Harmon,” Hunt said. “I think you can see that if you get re...

“I know the boys are a bit sore in the sheds now.” Fullback Sam Gilbert is in doubt for the Rebels game after feeling a twinge in his hamstring during the warmup for the Force game, with Josh Ioane likely to retain the No 15 jersey after replacing Gilbert just before kickoff in Perth. Ngantungane Punivai, an unused reserve in Perth, is an option to start either on the wing or midfield, although Sio Tomkinson and Jona Nareki have brought a mixture of toughness and spark in the wider channels over the past two weeks. Dermody was reluctant to single out individuals for praise after the F...

The Highlanders win second game in a row for the first time in two years, but coach Clarke Dermody admits frustration as bonus point eludes his side.