It’s game day!, as Super Rugby action returns to the ANZ Stadium when the Pulse Energy Highlanders and Gallagher Chiefs go head‑to‑head in what promises to be an exciting New Zealand derby in Suva tonight.
With just three rounds of matches left before the tournament’s knockout stages, both these teams are on course to reach the play‑offs with the Highlanders currently occupying fifth position and the Chiefs sixth spot in the standings.
Matches between the Highlanders and Chiefs are usually entertaining affairs with plenty of thrilling action. The Chiefs have won their last two games against the Highlanders, though they had lost six games on the bounce against them prior to that set.
The Highlanders have won four of their last five games at home against the Chiefs, with three of those four wins coming after trailing at half‑time.
Pulse Energy Highlanders co-Captain, Ash Dixon is hoping that they will get a win.
Dixon says that the Chiefs will be a hard team to beat but the Highlanders have some outstanding talent to bring out what they are known for tonight.
Fijian‑born All Blacks flyer Waisake Naholo will be keen to impress as he makes his 50th appearance for the Dunedin‑based franchise in familiar surroundings. As one of the tournament’s best finishers, the 27‑year‑old will be one of his team’s main strike weapons in this fixture and he will be determined to make a positive impact in such a momentous match for him.
Meanwhile Gallagher Chiefs Assistant coach Neil Barnes says that they are aiming to go past the Highlanders today.
The Highlanders will host the Chiefs at 7.35 tonight at the ANZ Stadium.
In other matches, the Brumbies will play the Hurricanes at 9.45pm while the Sunwolves will meet the Bulls at 11.55pm.
Tomorrow, the Sharks will meet the Lions at 3.15am while the Jaguares will take on the Stormers at 7.40am.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (cc), 1 Daniel Lienert‑Brown
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Richard Buckman
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert‑Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Liam Polwart, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Mitch Karpik, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Shaun Stevenson
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