PULSE ENERGY HIGHLANDERS NAME STRONG SIDE FOR NATIXIS RUGBY CUP 2016

04th Feb 2016


Super Rugby champions, the Pulse Energy Highlanders, have named a strong squad for their first pre-season match against French Top 14 league club Racing 92 in the Natixis Rugby Cup 2016 in Hong Kong on Saturday (6 Feb., kick-off at 17.00 local time).

The Natixis Cup marks the first time that the Highlanders have played a match against competition from outside of their hemisphere.

The squad of 28, (as the match is an exhibition, both teams will be allowed to field extended benches), will be led by Shane Christie, recently named as co-captain of the Highlanders alongside Ben Smith who has not travelled to Hong Kong.

In his third season with the Highlanders, open-side flanker Christie was named as co-captain for their defence of the Super Rugby title and the Natixis Cup will mark his first time leading the side. Christie was named co-captain after Nasi Manu, who filled the role last season, departed to play in Scotland.

The hard-hitting Christie is ready for the challenge: “It’s my third year with the Highlanders, so I know the guys quite well. There are a lot of leaders in the team which makes my job pretty easy.”

New signing Liam Squire will debut for the Highlanders alongside Christie at No. 8 with Elliot Dixon rounding out the back-row on the blind-side.

“Liam is going really well. He’s had an excellent pre-season and he’s an awesome player. Hopefully he has a big season ahead,” Christie said.

All Black Lima Sopoaga will start at flyhalf, where he will be key to unleashing the Highlanders’ dangerous backline, in what could be an enticing match-up against Dan Carter, World Rugby player of the year in 2015. Sopoaga is one of the leading contenders in New Zealand rugby to take on the mantle of the number 10 jersey following Carter’s move to Racing 92 after the World Cup.

Waisake Naholo, another member of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup winning side, gets the start on the wing, with fellow World Cup squad-mate Malaka Fekitoa in the reserves at centre for the Natixis Cup.

Lock Mark Reddish, a familiar face for Hong Kong fans after playing previously in the Hong Kong Rugby Union Premiership for local club-side Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers, will also be on the reserves bench.

“It’s a bit different to come back as a Highlander,” said Reddish. “But playing for the Tigers was fantastic and there are a few guys that I have caught up with already and I’ll catch up with a few more later on as well.

“I was a young fellow when I was here and it was a decent level and really enjoyable to play here. It’s good to be back.

Looking ahead to the match Reddish added: “We’re expecting quite a physical game as they are playing in the French Top League. They have some lighting backs as well. If they wear us out and let their backs run it will be interesting.”

Christie also expects a test up front saying, “Racing are a big, physical team and I think they will bring that, especially in the set piece so hopefully we can speed the game up and play to our strengths.

“We've got strength across the 40-man squad and the team for Saturday is really good. Our pre-season preparations have been good and we are looking to put in a performance against these guys,” Christie added.

Saturday’s match is the first of three pre-season encounters for the Highlanders with games against the Crusaders and Waratahs ahead and Christie feels that that the team’s experience in the Natixis Cup will pay off down the line.

“It’s a great experience for us to be here. It’s good to get out of New Zealand and get away and build our team culture up here and play a team from the Top 14 is cool. It’s great to be able to compare our team against teams from other countries. We have a couple of big games before we get into the season so it will be a good start for us and we’re looking forward to the start of the [Super Rugby] competition.”

Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Ash Dixon, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Tom Franklin, 5. Joe Wheeler, 6. Elliot Dixon, 7. Shane Christie ©, 8. Liam Squire, 9. Josh Renton, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. Richard Buckman, 13. Jason Emery, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Matt Faddes.

Reserves: 16. Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17. Brendon Edmonds, 18. Siosiua Halanukonuka, 19. Jackson Hemopo, 20. Sio Tomkinson, 21. Liam Howley, 22. Malaka Fekitoa, 23. Tei Walden, 24. Ryan Tongia, 25. Marty Banks, 26. Luke Whitelock, 27. James Lentjes, 28. Mark Reddish.

Head Coach: Jamie Joseph Assistant Coaches: Tony Brown, Scott McLeod Manager: Paul McLaughlan.

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